The party in a press statement issued in Port Harcourt by the media aide to the party Chairman, Jerry Needam alleged that those arrested were transferred to Abuja in the afternoon of yesterday saying that the suspects are being forced to confess receiving money from the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and its candidates. The party qouting to sources at the State CID, alleged that more arrests would be made and those arrested will be transferred to Abuja and paraded during a press conference that would be organized by the Police High Command, in conjunction with the top leadership of the All Progressives Congress, APC. “This latest development undoubtedly, is a confirmation of the fact that the Police committee led by its chairman, Mr. Damain Okoro, that arrived the State yesterday, Wednesday, January 11, 2017, is on a mission of witch-hunt against the State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, the PDP leadership and candidates of the party, who emerged victorious in the December 10, re-run election in Rivers State. “Although, the Police authorities have actually made no pretense about their biased role in issues surrounding the exercise in the State, with the premature sack of six of their men attached to the Governor, and their refusal to question the conduct of Mr. Akin Fakorede during the election” “but of much concern is what these activities portend for our democracy and the image of the Police and other security forces who swore oath of allegiance of neutrality and to defend, protect and respect the provisions of the constitution of Nigeria, and rights of all citizens, and who are maintained by tax payers’ money, not only those of the APC, but all Nigerians”, the party stated in the statement. It added “It is unfortunate that the Police under the current Inspector General of Police, IGP, have so abused their constitutional responsibilities and have now turned into a security arm of a political party, the All Progressives Congress, APC. “The PDP would have expected the Police to be more professional, objective, apolitical, and uphold the tenets of the constitution and regulations as contained in the Electoral Act, relating to the role of security agencies in an election”. It called on Nigerians “to rise against this ugly trend and abuse of responsibility by the Police high command”. When contacted Rivers State Police Command Public Relation Officer, Nnamdi Omoni said he is not competent to comment on the matter saying that the force headquarters Public Relation Officer is in a better position to comment on the matter. The State Resident Electoral Commissioner of INEC, Mr Aniedi Ikowak said he is not aware of the arrest.]]>