The African Democratic Congress, ADC, Rivers State Chapter, has called for an immediate investigation into the arrest of three of its members following the disruption of a political meeting in Isiokpo, Ikwerre Local Government Area.
The demand was contained in a statement signed on Saturday by the party’s Rivers State Publicity Secretary, Chizy Enyi, who alleged that personnel of the Nigeria Police and members of the local vigilante group, OSPAC, disrupted the meeting and intimidated opposition supporters.
The three ADC members, Confidence Amadi, Chikezie Justice and Isaiah Thomas, were reportedly arrested on allegations of cultism after a consultative meeting convened by the party’s House of Assembly candidate for Ikwerre, Jeffrey Wobodo, ahead of his campaign activities.
According to the ADC, security personnel and OSPAC members who entered the meeting venue allegedly assaulted some participants, leaving some injured, while mobile phones belonging to some party members were allegedly seized or taken away.
The party said Wobodo subsequently sought the release of the three men but alleged that the Isiokpo Area Commander, ACP Felix Ojiaku, said they would be charged with cultism based on an “order from above.”
The ADC said the alleged directive required clarification, particularly on the circumstances surrounding the arrests and the neutrality of the security agencies involved.
It also alleged that some OSPAC members later mobilised to the Area Command and assaulted ADC members in the vicinity of the police facility, adding that other police officers intervened to prevent the situation from escalating.
The party is demanding the immediate release of Amadi, Justice and Thomas unless the police can produce credible evidence of an identifiable offence against them and proceed in accordance with the law.
The ADC said the incident was particularly disturbing against the backdrop of previous threats and attacks allegedly targeting opposition political activities in Ikwerre.
It referenced earlier public statements and threats allegedly associated with political interests in the area, including the LGA Chairman, Charles Wobodo, and persons linked to the Rainbow Coalition, and urged security agencies to establish whether they are connected to the latest incident.
The party also drew attention to the case of Isaiah Thomas, alleging that his residence was attacked, ransacked and set ablaze several weeks ago after a political gathering.
According to the ADC, allegations arising from that incident included claims of OSPAC involvement and alleged instructions attributed to a former LGA Chairman of the area, Samuel Wanosike.
The party said those allegations should have been thoroughly and impartially investigated.
It questioned why Thomas, whom it described as a previous victim of political violence, is now facing an allegation of cultism.
“Political opposition is not cultism,” the party said, insisting that membership of the ADC and participation in peaceful political activities are not criminal offences.
The ADC called on the Inspector-General of Police and the Rivers State Commissioner of Police to investigate the disruption of the meeting, the conduct of the police personnel involved, the alleged actions of OSPAC members and the basis for the arrests.
While acknowledging police officers who, according to its account, intervened to prevent further violence, the party said security agencies must remain impartial and should not be used to suppress legitimate political activities.
The ADC also called for intervention by the National Human Rights Commission and other relevant authorities, warning that unresolved incidents involving opposition activities could threaten peaceful political participation in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 elections.
The party said it would continue to hold meetings and mobilise supporters peacefully across Ikwerre and the other 22 local government areas of Rivers State, while using lawful and constitutional means to protect its members and candidates.
It urged security agencies to ensure that Rivers residents can participate in the democratic process without intimidation, violence or interference.