Ex-transportation Minister and a leader of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Chibuike Amaechi, has urged security agencies to ensure the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the burning of the party’s secretariat in Ubima, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Amaechi made the appeal yesterday shortly after completing his official registration with the ADC in his hometown of Ubima.
The former Rivers State governor also praised security agencies for their swift intervention, which he said helped restore calm in the community, following the incident.
“I thank the commissioner of police and the director of DSS. They showed a lot of professionalism immediately I made contact with them.
“So we are grateful to them, especially those of them who are here. But they must also know that this cannot continue.
“The way they will show us that this cannot continue is that they must persecute those who are involved in this crime. I have been a governor. I know the consequences of not protecting the lives of the people.
“The people will begin to protect their lives by themselves because they don’t want to die,” he said.
Amaechi also called on supporters of the party to remain calm and peaceful, describing the attack as an attempt to distract it from its political goals.
He expressed optimism that the ADC would secure victory in the 2027 presidential election and assume power at Aso Rock.
“Everybody should be calm, you should be peaceful. We are marching to Aso Rock. What they are doing is a distraction.
“What they are doing will not put food on your table. We are hungry. If you are not hungry, tell them, I am hungry. People are dropping dead everyday because of hunger.
“And then few people are stealing our money and they said we should keep quiet. We can no longer keep quiet.
“ADC in Rivers State must register en-masse. We must make sure that we have enough members to surprise them. On election day, they will know whether we will vote or not.”
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Ubima Council of Chiefs, Geotext Kpako, also condemned the attack on the secretariat.
Kpako called for those behind the incident to be identified and brought to justice, stressing that holding the perpetrators accountable would help prevent similar occurrences in the community and beyond.
“It was a barbaric one. I saw it. I was here, present to see things myself. I don’t know who sent them.
“People from Ubima masterminded it. We don’t like it. The council of chiefs condemns it.
“We must find the perpetrators of this act. It is too bad” the monarch said.
Armed thugs yesterday attempted to prevent Amaechi from entering his hometown, Ubima.
Security personnel attached to his convoy reportedly thwarted the attack, despite sporadic gunfire.
The incident occurred just hours after the ADC Secretariat in Ubima was destroyed and set on fire by armed men.
This is the second reported attack on ADC members in the state in recent months.
In February, party members were allegedly attacked in Igwuruta, in the same local government area, during a sensitisation programme.
The Rivers State Police Command is yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
