Arrest Call: You’re Just Afraid Of Competition, Nwibubasa Fires Wike

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Leloonu Nwibubasa, has said Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State is afraid of competition and cannot tolerate opposing views.

The Spokesman of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council in Rivers State made this known in a statement on Friday while reacting to his declaration and 27 other politicians in the state wanted by Wike.

Naija News recalls that Wike, on Thursday night had released a list of 28 politicians who were allegedly planning to disrupt the governorship and state assembly elections with armed thugs, and cultists in military and police uniforms.

Reacting, Nwibubasa said the action of Wike has again shown that he is afraid of competition and cannot stand those opposed to his political views.

The former Commissioner accused Wike of an attempt to violate his fundamental human rights and that of other supporters of the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, in the state.

He added that the move by Wike is a complete affront to President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive that citizens should be allowed to freely support any candidate of their choice irrespective of political affiliation.

Nwibubasa urged the Nigerian police and other security agencies not to allow the Governor to drag them into settling political scores with his perceived political opponents.

He stated that the names listed in Wike’s broadcast are law-abiding citizens, and called on security agencies to watch out for criminal elements that may be used by the same Governor, to actualize his plot to manipulate Saturday’s elections.

The statement reads: “It is unfortunate that Governor Wike has demonstrated over and again that he is such a leader that cannot tolerate opposing views. And of course, what informs Governor Wike that we do not have a right of choice in an election where everyone is constitutionally guaranteed to vote for their choice of candidate?

“By the action of the Governor, declaring myself and others to be arrested and prosecuted on a very frivolous trump-up allegation, this again tells us that Governor Wike is one man that is afraid of competition.

“No wonder throughout the tenure of this Governor, even councilors in their communities, have never been allowed to compete for the position.

“But let me make it very clear that every declaration by Governor Wike that I and others should be arrested, is an attempt to violate our fundamental right.

“And we are aware that this has been done to stop us from coming out to exercise our franchise and vote in the elections on Saturday. But it is very clear that Governor Wike in his ploy has failed even before he stated, because we will come out boldly and strongly, and we will vote for a candidate of our choice without fear of harassment.”