Heavy security in Port Harcourt as PDP holds Presidential primary

The Rivers State Command of Nigerian Police Force on Friday said that they have in collaboration with sister security agencies in the state beefed up security in and around the venue of the much awaited Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) Presidential convention scheduled to hold today (Saturday) in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State.

PDP delegates from the 36 states and Abuja will be converging on Adokiye Amaesimaka Stadium to elect a candidate that will challenge incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari, the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of February 2019 polls.

The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Rivers State Police Command, Nnamdi Omoni, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), in a telephone interview yesterday assured all PDP delegates and other persons who would be at the convention that there would be adequate protection of their lives and property, urging them not to entertain any fear.

Omoni said: “Water-tight security arrangements have been made by the Rivers State Police Command. I can assure you that the national convention of the PDP will be seamlessly held and there will be no security breach in view of the heavy deployment of policemen at the venue of the national convention, hotels, entry and exit points, as well as other strategic points.

“All the black spots in Port Harcourt and its environs have been identified and are being properly policed. Day and night movements before, during and after the convention will be without any incident.”

The 12 presidential aspirants expected to slug it out at the convention are Aminu Tambuwal, Atiku Abubakar, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Bukola Saraki, Sule Lamido, Ahmed Makarfi, Attahiru Bafarawa, Ibrahim Dankwambo, Tanimu Turaki, Datti Baba-Ahmed, David Mark and Jonah Jang.

Addressing a crowded press conference at Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt yesterday, the Director-General of Tambuwal Campaign Organisation, Mike Omeri, assured that the Governor of Sokoto State would be crowned winner by the delegates at PDP’s national convention in view of his capacity, youthfulness, capability, experience and as the most qualified candidate.

Omeri said: “The accredited delegates will be free to cast their votes without interference, but I can assure you that almost all of them will vote for Gov. Tambuwal, who has never been invited for questioning by any security or anti-graft agency.

“Governor Tambuwal is young and he believes in the future of Nigeria. He also believes that Nigeria has passed the stage of potential, but now at the stage of possibilities and fulfilment of dreams. He has a blueprint to transform Nigeria and he always speaks from the heart.”