Wike’s Aide Counsels Politicians Against Violence, Intimidation

A chieftain of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) and Special Adviser to the Rivers State Governor on Infrastructure, Barr. Otonye Briggs has called on politicians to shun acts of violence and intimidation.
Briggs who made the call at a media briefing said politics should not be a do or die affair, adding that politicians should be people who have what it takes to mentor others.
He stated that a basic way to deepen the nation’s democracy and usher in credible leaders is for politicians and other stakeholders to allow votes of the people count, pointing out that held been a victim of violence.
Briggs said, “I do not believe in violence or act of hooliganism, but I strongly believe in the court of justice and the rule of law; irrespective of the fact that I have been brutalized, tortured, humiliated and treated like a common criminal by my tormentors.”
The Governor’s aide recalled with sadness that during the March 9 Governorship election in the state, the governorship aspirant of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Tonye Cole had in Abonnema, Akuku-Toru Local Government Area ordered some military men to arrest me.
He said, “On 9th March, I came down from Biobest Hotel in Abionnema, dressed up to go and cast my vote, when Tonye Cole emerged with four military vehicles loaded with Army officers and pointed at me. Immediately more than ten Army officers fully armed came down from their respective vehicles and arrested me and took me to 130 Battalion Barrack at Harry’s Town in Degema LGA.
“From that 7am, I was detained there till the following day, thereby depriving me from voting and carrying out my assignment as the LGA collation and returning agent of the PDP for the Governorship election.
“The following day, being March 10, 2019, at about 2pm, two vehicles filled with armed military personnel came to the 130 Battalion Barrack at Harry’s town and took me to 6 Division at Bori Camp, Port Harcourt and detained me there till 19thMarch, 2019 when I was bundled to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) at Rukpokwu for no justifiable reason.
“I want to state unequivocally that the action of Tonye Cole and friend, Rotimi Amechi and their collaborators show that they not mean well for Rivers State in particular and Nigeria at large,” Briggs said.
He alleged that after their actions caused the death of several persons, including a military officer in Abonnema, aside those that dies in other areas in the state, the duo still have the mind to continue to use the Nigeria army to wicked achieve their selfish political interest even when their party, the APC was not in the INEC ballot paper for the Governorship and House of Assembly elections.

 Dennis Naku