*says judiciary being strangled by government
By; JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has stated that the APC Federal Government planted media reports of insecurity against the state because of their plot to de-market the state for political reasons.
According to a statement signed by his Special Assistant Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu, the governor also said that the APC Government has over the last two years denied the people their basic rights, while deliberately destroying the judiciary in their quest to politically intimidate opponents.
Speaking during a courtesy visit to the Government House, Port Harcourt on Friday by the Governing Council of the African Bar Association, Governor Wike regretted that the Nigerian Bar Association failed the people at the most important time, as the association refused to protect judges who were illegally harassed.
The governor charged the African Bar Association to take up the role of advocacy on behalf of the Nigerian people, the way it intervened in Gambia and Burundi.
He said: “The NBA has sold out .At the time the people needed the NBA to stand with them, the NBA withdrew.
“We have given the EFCC and the Federal Government the opportunity to intimidate the judiciary with frivolous petitions and prosecution “.
Governor Wike called on Nigerians to rise up before the APC destroys the judiciary. He said that the ultimate aim of the APC is to create the atmosphere for them to rig the 2019 general elections.
He said even with the screening of the recently nominated Resident Electoral Commissioners by the Senate yet to be done, the APC led Federal Government and her cronies have posted some of the Resident Electoral Commissioners to states where they are expected to rig.
He said that the Independent National Electoral Commission, the Minister of Transportation and the APC Government have programmed Dr Obong Efanga of Cross River for Rivers State in their plot to rig the 2019 elections.
He said that despite their plots, nobody will be allowed to rig elections in Rivers State as the people will defend their votes.
In his remarks. Chairman of the African Bar Association, Mr Hannibal Uwaifo commended Governor Wike for his promotion of the rule of law and the investments in projects that enhance access to justice.
He said Governor Wike is one of the outstanding governors who stands out in terms of projects delivery across the state.
Governor Wike later took the leaders of the African Bar Association on a tour of projects across Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas.
