The Media Committee of Senator Magnus Abe’s campaign organisation has described as unreasonable and laughable the call by Bro Felix Obuah, Chairman of Rivers State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), that Senator Abe should be arrested and prosecuted for calling on his supporters to defend themselves against attack by PDP thugs.

A press statement issued in Port Harcourt and signed by Parry Saroh Benson, head of the team and Spokesperson to Senator Abe, said that Abe only asked his supporters to defend themselves against the incessant attacks by PDP thugs, pointing out that he did not ask them to attack PDP supporters.

“Persons like Felix Obuah should not comment on issues of decent politics as what he has done to his people in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, can only be forgiven by God and not man, and will haunt him forever,” the statement said.

It added that it was wrong for the Rivers PDP Chairman to refer to Senator Abe as a desperate politician as he (Abe) had always believed in non-violence, tolerance, fair play, understanding and dialogue, unlike the present PDP leaders whose stock in trade is hooliganism and brigandry.

The team pointed out that Senator Abe willfully conceded his senatorial ambition to Lee Maeba in 2007 as well as his governorship ambition to Dr. Dakuku Adol Peterside in 2015, in compliance to party leadership decision, without making a fuss.

It maintained that Senator Abe has not shifted in his non-violence posture but rather his comments were in line with the law, which allows citizens the right to self defense and use of reasonable force to protect their property.

The statement noted that Senator Abe as a law abiding citizen would never incite the people to violence, adding, even at that the call for self defense by Abe became necessary following the inability of the law enforcement agencies to take decisive actions on the perpetrators.

“We are aware that in all these cases of killings, maiming and destruction of property, the law enforcement agencies have made no serious efforts to investigate, apprehend and prosecute the perpetrators,” the Abe Media Team said.

It noted that PDP hoodlums had overwhelmed the security of the state because of adequate support and sponsorship by the party, necessitating the people of the district to defend themselves.

“Moreso, PDP has reorganised, reinforced, funded and revamped cult and criminal groups in the district with sophisticated assault rifles, dynamites and bombs to harm and intimidate supporters of Senator Abe who are in the majority,” the statement said.

•Photo shows Senator Abe.

Update news