4th April, 2023
By Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt
Some chieftains and members of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP on Tuesday asked Rivers Police Commissioner, Effiong Okon, to order for the arrest of Tonye Cole, the All Progressives Congress, APC governorship candidate in the state over alleged death one of their members.
The PDP members made the demand at Rivers State Police Command Headquarters, Moscow Road, Port Harcourt.
Specifically, they told CP Effiong to arrest and prosecute Cole for allegedly “leading thugs and armed security personnel to attack peaceful protesters who were calling on INEC to allow all political parties carry out a joint inspection of election materials, and in the process, one of the protesters was shot dead yesterday, Monday April 3, 2023.”
The PDP members were led to the Police headquarters by the Mayor of Port Harcourt City, Allwell Ihunda; the Publicity Secretary of the Rivers State PDP, Tambari Sydney Gbara and the Port Harcourt local government area, PDP Chairman, Hon. Solomon Ogbonna Ejike.
In his response, CP Okon pointed out that throughout the period of political campaigns, election and after, the Police under his watch has been apolitical.
He also said that because peaceful protests are legitimate rights of citizens, the Police had refused to stop the party members who stormed INEC office for protests on Monday.
However, CP Effiong Okon promised to order an investigation into the murder of the PDP member and ensure that justice done to all sides.
But it was not clear if Tonye Cole would be arrested and prosecuted by the Police as demanded by the PDP members.
However, Cole had in previous interviews with different media organizations denied the allegation, describing both the protest to INEC as rehearsed of propaganda plot to stop him from challenging to Governorship election which PDP candidate,Siminalayi Fubara was declared winner.
He alleged that he was even the one assaulted, held hostage at the APC Secretariat and his two SUV Cars vandalized.
“It took the efforts of security personnel attached to me to shield me from attacks from PDP. Our party flag was burnt.When they held me hostage at APC Secretariat.I was slapped by one of PDP women hit many times my SUV cars vandalized.”
Ends
Photo Caption:
CP Effiong Okon, Commissioner of Police,Rivers State addressing PDP leaders led by Allwell Ihunda, Mayor of Port Harcourt City local government area.