APC protests alleged police bias in Rivers

Supporters of All Progressives Congress from the 23 local governments in Rivers State on Thursday urged the police command to be fair to all political parties.

Mr Orji Ngofa, Caretaker Committee Chairman of Eleme Local Government, made the call in Port Harcourt when members of the party staged a peaceful protest to the headquarter of the state police command.

He appealed to the state police commissioner, Mr Dan Bature, to give equal treatment to all political parties.

Ngofa, who applauded the police for its role in maintaining peace and order, noted that many APC members were being haunted by the police.

He explained that it was very unfair for the police to arrest APC supporters without concrete reasons, adding that it was time to address the problem.

The chairman called for a level playing ground where all political parties would enjoy equal police protection for free, fair and credible elections.

Responding, the commissioner said the police would continue to be neutral in the discharge of its duties.

Bature assured the protesters of the police readiness to reduce crime and other offences to the barest minimum in the state.

He said the police would not relent in charting the course of justice irrespective of whose ox was gored.

“Whether PDP, APC, APGA or any other political party, that is found wanting, must be made to face the wrath of the law,” Bature said.

Earlier, one of the protesters, Prince Onuoha from Obio/Akpor Local Government alleged that APC members were being victimised on daily basis by security agencies especially the police.

Onuoha appealed to the Federal Government to caution the police “because APC is a peaceful party.”