David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka
The police in Anambra State on Monday sealed off the state secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, citing order from above.
Police officers from the state command numbering about 12 arrived the party’s secretariat at Udoka Housing Estate, Awka as state officers of the party converged to hold its state executive committee meeting.
The officers were prevented from gaining entrance into the compound by the fully armed police officers, who insisted that they were at the secretariat on order from above to prevent breakdown of law and order.
The state legal adviser of the party, Barr Afam Akonanya who briefed journalists in front of the party Secretariat said they were at a loss why police would prevent them from entering their party secretariat.
He said there were no longer factions in the party since after the Supreme Court judgment, and that peace had returned to the party, and that there was no reason for police to cordon off the place and prevent their members from meeting.
“This is a crucial period in Anambra politics, and it is no time to disrupt the activities of our party. We have been told by the policemen that they are acting based on orders from above, and as law abiding citizens, we do not want to force our way inside, but we will return and restrategise.â€
Another officer of the party, Barr Osita Igbokwe, chairman of the party in Aguata asked if the recent dissolution of the state executive by the Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee was the reason for the police action saying that the party in the state is not aware of any dissolution.
He said, “Our leaders have not told us of any dissolution. Our brother, Senator Ben Obi is a member of the NCC, and he did not mention it to us. By the way, how can they even dissolve Anambra state exco when we were all elected at the same time with other state executives.
“Why would they dissolve us in isolation if it is true they did? This is a crucial period in Anambra politics, and instead of the NCC to consolidate on the existing peace we have achieved here, they are talking of dissolution. We will not let that happen because they are trying to cause confusion in the party.â€
The police public relations officer of Anambra state command, Mrs Nkiruka Nwode told THISDAY on phone that the police did not invade the party’s Secretariat, nor were they interfering in the activities of the party.
“We moved in to forestall a breakdown of law and order. That is all that we did, and we are only ensuring that there is no problem in the state.â€
