Speaking on his mobile phone, the Rivers State Commissioner for Information, Mr Paulinus Nsirim who confirmed the incident said that he was still trying to figure out the reason for the police action.
Nsirim said: “The police should be the one to give you the reason why my governor’s hotel room was sealed off by the police. All I can say is that his hotel is under siege by a detachment of policemen. I don’t know the reason for the action. Nobody told us.”
Persistent attempts to speak with either the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Mr Johnson Kokumo or the spokesman, Mr Chidi Nwanbuzor proved futile as they refused to answer several calls put to their mobile phone numbers.
The Zone Five Police spokesman, Mr Emeka Iheanacho who spoke on his mobile phone said that he was not competent to speak on the issue.
The South-South zonal vice-chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Dan Orbih said that he was not aware of the travails of Governor Wike in Benin as he was presently in his hometown of Ogbona, Etsako West Local Government Area of the state to prepare for today’s governorship polls.
Recall, that it was reported that the hotel where Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, is lodging in Benin, Edo State capital came under siege by over 300 policemen, People Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman, Rivers chapter, Akawor Desmond, has alleged.
A thread posted on the Twitter handle of the Rivers State governor, Friday evening and credited to Desmond explained that “The Hotel where the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike is lodging while on official assignment in Benin, Edo State has been held siege by over 300 Policemen.
“Governor Wike was appointed Chairman of the PDP National Campaign Council for the Edo Governorship election; this is the same position Governor Ganduje of Kano State occupies for his party the APC.
“Governor Ganduje and Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State are all in Benin, Edo State carrying out their assignment for the APC without any molestation or intimidation.
“And in a breach of the pledge, they made security agencies have decided to harass and intimidate Governor Wike who has not done any wrong.
“Rivers People Warn that we Shall hold the IGP responsible for anything that happens to our Governor,” signed: Ambassador Akawor Desmond, Chairman PDP Rivers State.