Rivers APC Threats: Convoy Attacked, PDP Chieftain Killed, Oyigbo INEC Office Torched
In what looks like a warning signal ahead of the 2019 general elections in Rivers State, the Leader of the Legislative Assembly of Ahoada West Local Government Area, Ekele Fineface Chikobi fondly called EFCC was Thursday afternoon shot dead by yet to be identified gunmen.
The incident according to a press statement by the executive chairman of Ahoada Local Government Area, occurred while the campaign train of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, organized by the Local Government Area Campaign Council was on their way to Port Harcourt, along Rumuji/Emohua axis of the East/West Road.
The deceased was said to be on the convoy of Hon. Okpokiri Nwanaka Okpokiri, member representing Ahoada West Constituency in the State House of Assembly which was attacked and sporachically shot at by suspected assassins.
Some other members of the PDP on the campaign convoy were also reportedly wounded while some are still in the custody of the abductors.
The Ahoada West Council authorities said they are deeply pained by the death of their Legislative Assembly Leader, and PDP campaign co-ordinator in the area, and appealed to security agencies to ensure the culprits were brought to book.
Barely a week before the sad incident, another chieftain of the PDP in the State, and Special Adviser to the State Governor, Dr. Onugbum Onuoha was kidnapped unknown gunmen in Port Harcourt he is yet to be released by his abductors.
Similarly, a couple of days ago, the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Oyigbo, Oyigbo Local Government Area was torched. It was rumoured the fire incident was politically motivated but INEC in a press release issued January 29, and signed by HOD, Voter Education and Publicity, Edwin Enabor denied the insinuation and said the fire was caused by electrical fault.
Meanwhile, the Mayor of Port Harcourt City, Hon Victor Ihunwo on behalf of the entire people of Port Harcourt city commiserates with the Executive Chairman of Ahoada West Local Government Council,Hon Hope Ikiriko,Members of The Ahoada West Legislative Assembly and the entire people of Ahoada West Local Government Area, over the gruesome murder of the leader of the Ahoada West Legislative Assembly, Hon Ekele Chikobi fondly called EFCC Chiko by unknown gunmen.
Reacting to the murder of Mr. Ekele Fineface Chikobi, the Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has stated that the State Government will ensure that the killers of Ekele Fyneface Chikobi Cohen (EFCC) are brought to justice.
Speaking at a meeting with Community Development Committees in Port Harcourt on Friday, Governor Wike said the State Government will ensure all those involved in the dastardly act are tracked down by security operatives.
Governor Wike said he received news of the murder of EFCC, the legislative leader of Ahoada West Local Government Area, with shock, noting that he was unsettled by the sad news.
“The people who killed EFCC will face the consequences. All hands are on deck to bring the killers to justice. They will meet their Waterloo “.
A minute silence was observed in honour of Ekele Fyneface Chikobi Cohen (EFCC) at the event. Governor Wike prayed for the repose of his soul and for God to grant the family the strength to bear the irreparable loss.
Ekele Fyneface Chikobi Cohen (EFCC) was until his death the leader of Ahoada West Local Government Area Legislative Assembly and prominent social media practitioner. He was a strong supporter of Governor Wike.
Recall the APC in Rivers State has persistent threatened mayhem on the State should its candidates fail to make the list of contestants for the 2019 general elections on account of a court order nullifying its Ward, Local Government Area and State Congresses for falling short of due process.
