Wike urged the people of the state to remain calm but vigilant, adding that the machinations of the ruling party will not distract the state from delivering

Tony John, Port Harcourt

Rivers State governor Nyesom Wike has alleged that the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government has concluded plans to plant 800 guns in the state, with the objective of destabilising Rivers.

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Wike, in a statement issued yesterday, alleged that the ruling party resolved to implement the plot during its last security meeting. He stated that the intelligence came from credible sources that were privy to the ugly plot against Rivers State.

The governor called on the international community to take note of the proposed illegal action, alleging that it was aimed at creating crisis in the state. He regretted that Federal Government has continued to work deliberately to compromise the security of the state.

Governor Wike urged the people of the state to remain calm but vigilant, adding that the evil machinations of the ruling party will not distract the state from delivering on its constitutional responsibilities to Rivers people.

Meanwhile, a Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja, has dismissed a suit filed by a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Rivers, Achinike Godwin William-Wobodo, asking the court to disqualify the State governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike from contesting the 2019 governorship election on account of age declaration.

Ruling on the suit number FHC/ ABJ/CS/1020/2018, filed by the Rivers APC chieftain, Justice I.E. Ekwo ordered that the suit be discontinued as was prayed by the plaintiff. Achinike Godwin William-Wobodo, had sued Governor Wike and joined the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as co-defendants.

William-Wobodo had told the court: “Ordinarily this matter is stated for mention today. But counsel on the other side has filed a motion challenging the jurisdiction of the court. However, I intend to withdraw this suit just like I informed the learned SAN on the other side. I made that decision over the weekend and my colleague in chamber is trying to file a notice of discontinuance so that we can bring it to the court formally. But if the court is minded, we intend to discontinue this application.”

Justice Ekwo thereafter said: “After hearing Achinike Godwin William-Wobodo Esq, plaintiff apply in person to discontinue the suit against the defendants and the counsel of the defendants not opposing the application but applying for a cost of N1,000,000 and the court having granted the application, it is hereby ordered as follows:

“That the suit is hereby dismissed. That a cost of N50,000 is hereby awarded for the second defendant (Nyesom Ezenwo Wike) against the plaintiff”. William-Wobodo applied to discontinue the suit after counsel to Governor Wike challenged the jurisdiction of the court to hear the suit.

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