The new faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has opened a parallel secretariat of the party in Rivers State.
The new secretariat is located at the popular Forces Avenue in old G.R.A Port Harcourt.
The office was launched after a media briefing by the Chief of Staff to Rivers State Governor, Tony Okocha and other members of the state executive council as well as loyalists to Governor Chibuike Amaechi.
Tony Okocha in the briefing said opening of the new office was an action to show its loyalty to the Abubakar Baraje leadership of the PDP.
According to him, “In strict obedience to the directive of the national leadership of the new PDP, I hereby open the office of the Rivers State chapter of the new PDP. As I open this new secretariat of our great party, I hope that this will usher in fresh air and democratic renewal in our state and nation.
“The new PDP is a national response to the impunity, recklessness and dictatorial tendencies typical of the former leadership of our party”.
While applauding the courage of Governor Amaechi and the six other governors that pulled out from the mainstream of the PDP, the Chief of staff called on members of the party to start mobilization.
“I therefore urge the executives of the party in the state to commence the mobilization of party men and women to deliver them from the hold of tyrants. I commend the Governors of Kano, Jigawa, Sokoto, Adamawa, Kwara, Niger and of course our own indefatigable Governor of Rivers State and Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and other adherents for this uncommon display of courage. They are indeed heroes of our democracy. On Baraje leadership of the PDP we stand”, he declared.
Meanwhile, drama occurred during the hoisting of the PDP flag when officers from the Rivers State police command invaded the area.
The officers led by Sam Okali said no form of impunity would be allowed.
“We will go all out to ensure that we maintain law and order in this state. Anybody that takes law into his hands will be dealt with accordingly. We don’t have any secretariat here and anybody that comes here to hoist any flag will be dealt with”, he said.
Reacting to the development, assistant publicity secretary of the Felix Obuah-led PDP, Sam Wonosike accused Tony Okocha of disregarding the court order that directed that all factions should maintain status quo.
In his words, “There is a court judgement that everybody should go back to status quo. The issue that has happened brings to the knowledge of Rivers people that when men who don’t know the law are at the hem of affairs, they do things with impunity.
“The Chief of Staff of to Rivers State Governor, Tony Okocha has just shown once more that he lacks the capacity to sit in that office. What the security operatives have done is in accordance with the Law”.
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