A former national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Prince Uche Secondus, has described the Rivers State Government’s sealing of the Atiku/Okowa campaign office in Port Harcourt as childish behavior and abuse of power.
Secondus said that people in positions of authority should keep in mind that power is transitory and for how long, each individual would give an account to God.
The state governor, Nyesom Wike, with the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and the national chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, held the party’s presidential primaries in May.
All efforts to resolve the crisis between Wike’s group known as the Integrity Group and the Atiku camp failed, with the Integrity Group insisting that Ayu should step down as chairman.
The state government, in a viral letter dated December 19, 2022, addressed to the State Campaign Management Committee of the PDP, rejected the committee’s request to use its property at GRA Phase 2 in Port Harcourt as a campaign office.
In the letter signed by the Director of Physical Planning and Transport, on behalf of the Commissioner of Physical Planning and Town Planning, the government said “GRA is designated for residential purposes I and II, therefore the property is to be used as a campaign office. it is contrary to the designated use.’
The government sealed off the premises on Thursday, a development that has been condemned by some.
Reacting to the development, Secondus, who hails from the state, said: “The sealing of the Atiku campaign office in Rivers State is childish. It does not portray us as democrats and peace lovers. We must do everything possible to show the world that we are a non-violent people who believe in the rule of law.
“We must not set ourselves up as an obstacle to the rule of law and we must remember that power is transitory. We must know that God Almighty alone is omnipresent and reigns forever. No matter how long, all the power that men have will expire.
“Let’s use the powers given to us by the people with responsibility and responsibility, knowing and believing that one day, we will not only leave the office, but also give an account of our responsibility to the Almighty God.”
Secondus, however, appealed to the people of the state to remain peaceful and conduct their campaigns and business without anger.
“Power misused”
Also, the Presidential Campaign Council of the PDP in Rivers State described the sealing of the secretariat as regrettable, saying that all the necessary conditions for its use were met.
The PCC spokesperson, Dr. Lelonu Nwibubassa, said: “I think all civil society groups, the international community and lovers of democracy around the world must understand that Governor Wike has misused his powers as the governor of Rivers State.
“We condemn as an illegal act by the governor to stamp orders smuggled into the state House of Assembly through the back door as law.”
“Segundus remains eliminated”
But reacting to Secondus, Wike said the former PDP chairman Andoniko was kicked out by his ward and was no longer a member of the party.
He described Secondus as a confused interloper.
The governor spoke at the inauguration of the Aluu- Omagwa Link Road at Omuagubia in Ikwerre Local Government Area on Saturday.
He said: “I read the newspaper this morning where a former member of our party, one Uche Secondus, said that no one can impose a presidential candidate on Rivers people.
“He is not a member of our party. His ward expelled him from the party. The court affirmed. He went to the Court of Appeal, he lost. He went to the Supreme Court, the matter will be decided on October 23, 2023.”
But in his response, Secondus described him as a master in the use of bad words as a short-sighted person who forgets Wike and his benefactors.
He said: “Let him continue to abuse. Is there anyone he has not abused? He is a short man. He does not think of yesterday and forgets tomorrow. He has abused everyone in Rivers State and PDP.
“He abused President Muhammadu Buhari, called him names. Today, he is being praised. He will always eat his vomit. It is his time; allow him to enjoy his limited time in office. It is a matter of months. His eyes would soon be clear.’
