10th February, 2015
Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt
Perhaps in anticipation of civil protests against the postponement of the general elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) combat-ready soldiers with Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) have positioned menacingly at the popular Isaac Adaka Boro Park, Port Harcourt, Rivers state.
P.M.NEWS observed that two other patrol vehicles with Joint Task Force (JTF) inscriptions on them were stationed under the Isaac Boro Park bridge over looking the Isaac Boro Park which has always acted as anchor point or take off point for any civil protest for or against government policies.
Two army Hilux trucks were seen near the the secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) along Port Harcourt/Aba Expressway road.
At the secretariat of the All Progressives Congress which is directly opposite the old GRA Police Divisional Headquarters there was no army presence. It was calm and quiet.
Observers are however of the opinion that the presence of armed soldiers may not be unconnected to the fear that party faithfuls and the civil populace in the state may stage protest against the shift of February 14 and 28 polls.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Government has cancelled the work free day declared for today (Monday February 10 and 11) due to the shift of the election.
The government advised civil servants to use the six weeks period to get their Permanent Voters’ Cards, PVCs.