APC behind plot to arrest party chieftains in Bayelsa – PDP alleges

NEDU MARK, Yenagoa

Leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of plotting to facilitate arrest of some of its leaders before the scheduled December 5 governorship election in the state.

The allegation contained in a statement by Jonathan Obuebite, Director of Publicity of the Restoration Campaign Organization, claimed that the PDP stalwarts would be arrested on trumped charges of arms running.

The statement said APC’s aim was ‘to destabilize the party and its electoral chances ahead of Saturday polls.’

Obuebite also said with the plot, ‘the APC believes it would impact negatively on the fortunes of the PDP in the affected localities.’

He gave the names of suspected persons to be arrested by APC as Hon. Bonny Ayah, Special Adviser to the governor on Youth and Secretary of Bayelsa Volunteers, Hon. Tolu Amatu, a staunch PDP stalwart in Ekeremor, Joshua Maciever and Pastor Reuben Wilson. Maciever and Wilson, leaders in Southern Ijaw.

“APC has identified these PDP leaders as influential with massive grassroots support who must therefore be taken out at all cost before it can have its way in the strongholds they control in the state”

“We have it on good authority that the APC plans to frame up these individuals by planting weapons and ammunitions around their houses and then invite the police and JTF operatives to search their houses with the clear intention of implicating them in trump up charges of arm running”,

The party, therefore, called on the relevant security agencies to investigate the alleged plot and apprehend those who may be behind it.

“The APC knows too well that they can’t win in a free and fair contest and that’s why they are doing everything to rig the election.

“We are confident that the authorities will be alive to their duties and ensure protective measures are taken to forestall any moves by the APC to rig the election,” the statement read.