The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State this evening reacted with outrage to the allegation by the State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Felix Obuah, that the Rivers State Government and the APC leadership have a hand in the alleged kidnapping of three PDP chieftains and killing of one other person.

The abducted men include the Port Harcourt Local Government PDP Chairman, Ikechi Chinda; a former member of the House of Representatives representing Port Harcourt Federal Constituency I, Hon Chinyere Igwe; and Alwell Ihunda. The identity of the murdered fourth person is unclear.

“We consider this allegation not only very unfortunate but also unbecoming of a fellow who claims to be a party leader. The fact remains that we have nothing whatsoever against any of these people and have no reason to harm or place them under such a wicked condition,” Rivers APC said this evening in a statement issued in Port Harcourt by Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, senior media aide to State APC Interim Chairman, Dr. Davies Ikanya.

According to APC in the statement, “Those who know the antecedents of Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and the Rivers State Government under his watch can testify to his abhorrence for violence, including the unholy acts of kidnapping and militancy – not to talk of murder! It is a well known fact that the Amaechi administration did everything humanly possible to eradicate the menace of militancy and kidnapping from Rivers State and that it succeeded in doing so until the likes of Mr. Obuah came on board promoting both militancy and kidnapping as part of their satanic strategy to make the state ungovernable due to their political differences with Amaechi This fact is well known to every keen follower of events in Rivers State.

“It is, therefore, diversionary for Mr. Obuah, who played a key role in bringing back insecurity to Rivers State, to turn around to accuse the Amaechi administration in this regard. We urge Mr. Obuh to apologise to Gov. Amaechi and Rivers APC leadership within 48 hours or we may feel compelled to explore legal options available to us in this regard. He should also assist the police to unravel the circumstances behind the alleged kidnapping and murder since he obviously knows much about these criminal acts.”

Continuing, APC said: “Though this act maybe a ploy to protest the removal of CP Mbu from Rivers State by the PDP faithful seeing that CP Mbu was one of their prized member and introduction of the type of government they intend to run in Rivers State if they take over the reins of governance in Rivers State come 2015 but now that we have come to terms to their level of frustration we will ensure that such a group will never taste power anymore in Rivers State.

“Finally, let us state unequivocally that neither Rivers APC nor Gov. Amaechi and his administration know anything about the alleged kidnapping and murder. We will never be involved in any act that will bring sorrow to even our greatest political enemy or enemies, not to talk of aiding kidnapping of anybody for whatever reason! We urge the Police to investigate Mr. Obuah and find out from him why and how these people were kidnapped as both the Rivers State Government and APC leadership have nothing to do with this.”

•Photo shows Rivers State APC Interim Chairman, Dr. Davies Ikanya.