Ekwi Adebisa: Tug of war between Amaechi and Wike

Okafor Ofiebor/ Port Harcourt

Mrs Ekwi  Adebisa, the Ward 10 INEC Collation  Officer  who was declared missing yesterday was at the centre of a near bloody clash when she was later found at the Mile One Police Station.

It was gathered that Adebisa,was about declaring the Collated results for Ward 10 in PHALGA, when the Leaders of the PDP in the Area alerted Governor Nyesom Wike who stormed the Police Station to whisk the INEC Collation officer away.

Governor Nyesom Wike arrived at Mile One Police station based on the information that Adebisa was  there in the morning  of  Sunday 20th  March, and that she was placed on protective custody  by Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, Dakuku Peterside and Acting Managing Director of NDDC, Ibim Semenitari .

Wike and other PDP  leaders stormed  the station to demand for  explanation.

Not long after they got there, Transport minister, Rotimi Amaechi also arrived the station with a battery of armed soldiers, accompanied by NIMASA DG, Dakuku Peterside and NDDC  managing director, Ibim Semenitari.

A clash was averted as the soldiers asked Wike to leave the station..

Much later, Ekwi Adebisa was taken away by the Police team led by an AIG.

Later, Semenitari clarified the sequence of events that led to the drama at the Mile One Police Station:

“We have received with bemusement the attempt by the Rivers State Government and its image managers to retell the facts of the incident of Sunday, March 20 which occurred at the Mile 1 Police Divisional headquarters in Port Harcourt when Rivers State Governor, Ezewon Wike, in company with a retinue of aides, invaded the police station, held the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Collation Officer for Port Harcourt Ward 10, Mrs. Ekwi Adebisa, hostage.

“Whereas it is not in our style to join issues with any tier of government, it is imperative that we state the facts because of the need to safeguard our electoral process and strengthen the confidence of our people in their leaders.

“Mrs Ekwi Adebisa, the Port Harcourt City Ward 10 Collation Officer, for the March 19 rerun legislative election in Rivers State, was moved by force to the police station.

“The result she had collated was separated from her. While at the police station, agents of the Rivers State Government, brought her under duress to write a statement that she had been abducted and made to falsify the Ward result by agents of All Progressives Congress, APC.

“That they forced her to the police station and kept under traumatic condition was in itself, criminal. But that they had forced the result she had lawfully collated out of her custody was more criminal.

“Governor Wike had arrived the police station accompanied by Senator. George Sekibo, Mr. Austin Opara, Azubuike Nmerukini, as well as other aides of the governor.

“As a leader in APC, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, Acting Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, being in attendance at the meeting, was among those delegated to go see what the actual development was.

“When Semenitari and others arrived the police facility, they confirmed the report. .

“In conclusion, we state therefore, that it was shocking to read a statement issued by Mr. Simeon Nwakudu, Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor on Electronic Media, linking Semenitari to facts contrary to the truth as stated here. As a responsible citizen and Public Officer, Semenitari could not have engaged in any conduct unbecoming of her status.

“As a Nigerian and Rivers daughter, she would always and at all times, protect and defend what promotes good governance.

“May God keep us all safe in these curious times that try our people’s souls.”