The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has alleged plots by those they described as ‘unpatriotic and disgruntled individuals’ working for the All Progressive Congress, APC to orchestrate a security situation and push for imposition of a state of emergency in Rivers State.
In a statement signed by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan on Wednesday, the party said it has been informed of plots by such “power hungry politicians to sponsor their misguided youth to unleash violence and unrest in certain parts of the state to create an impression of security breakdown so as to validate their plot for imposition of emergency rule in the state”.
The opposition party said such “anti-people elements include some individuals who were rejected by the people of Rivers state in the 2019 governorship election, as well as their godfathers, who believe they have the backing of power mongers at the federal level, and now seek to manipulate situations with the COVID-19 pandemic to cause confusion and push their plot to take over the governance of the state through the back door.
“It is clear that the actions of the Government of Rivers State under Governor Nyesom Wike in protecting the state against the spread of COVID-19 in the state are targeted at nothing but to protect lives, and such have continued to yield very positive results,” it further stated.
“Nigerians are also not unaware of the politicization of the fight against COVID-19 by the agents of the Federal Government, who appeared uncomfortable with the management of the pandemic by Rivers State government and other states just because they are controlled by PDP governors.
READ ALSO Jilli Airstrike: Supporters Of Terrorists Will Be Treated As Bandits, Defence Minister Warns Defence Minister Christopher Musa has warned that supporters of terrorists would be treated as criminals. He said this on Monday as he reacted to the airstrike carried out by the Nigerian Air Force airstrike in Jilli, Borno State, over the weekend. Speaking after an expanded security meeting in Kaduna with the state governor and heads of security agencies, Musa said the operation sends a clear message to those collaborating with terrorist groups. He stressed that anyone found supporting insurgents would face the same consequences as the perpetrators. “A friend of a thief is a thief,” he said, warning civilians against associating with or providing any form of assistance to terrorists. Musa urged residents to steer clear of areas known to be used by insurgents, noting that proximity or collaboration could have grave consequences. The airstrike, carried out near the village of Jilli in Gubio Local Government Area, targeted what the military described as an ISWAP enclave and logistics hub. According to the Nigerian Air Force, the operation was intelligence-driven and aimed at neutralising terror elements and destroying their equipment. However, reports have emerged alleging that the strike may have affected a weekly market in the area, with civilians, including cross-border traders, reportedly among casualties. Musa, however, maintained that the strike should serve as a strong warning to those aiding insurgent activities, reaffirming the military’s resolve to intensify operations against terrorist networks. Air Component of Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, conducted a precision air strike on a known terrorist enclave and logistics hub located near the abandoned village of Jilli in Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State. Giving an update on the airstrike, the Nigerian Army in a post on its official X handle said, “The successful strike, executed on 11 April 2026, followed sustained intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance missions over the Bindul–Jilli axis, an area long identified as a major terrorist movement corridor and convergence point for Islamic State West Africa Province terrorists and their collaborators.”
“It is instructive for those power mongers to note that this is a time of global pandemic when our country needs her unity.
The PDP therefore warned those seeking to cause confusion and disaffection to steer clear of Rivers State as they will be firmly resisted.
“More so, our nation is a democracy and as such it is guided by rules,” it added.
The opposition party further called on the people of Rivers State to remain calm, alert and united in “resisting all attempts by such agents of violence who are seeking to cause trouble in the state”.
