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Tag: Amaechi

  • Rivers crisis: PDP bids Amaechi bye

    Rivers crisis: PDP bids Amaechi bye

    •Obuah faction wants him out
    •No, he remains our leader-says factional leader
    •Amaechi remains PDP leader in Rivers – Ake faction

     

    The Obuah –led faction of the PDP in Rivers State wants Governor Rotimi Amaechi out of the party as soon as possible.

    The faction, which has already suspended the governor for alleged anti-party activities, says it wishes him good luck in his future political endeavours.

    In the latest of the brickbats characterising the crisis in the state PDP, the Secretary of the Obuah faction, Mr. Ibibia Walter, on Friday, said the governor is sinking deeper and “basks in the euphoria of his new-found role as the leader of the opposition in the country.”

    Mr. Walter cited the recent solidarity visits to Amaechi by four Northern Governors and nine others from across the country as a demonstration of the governor’s current dilemma.

    With Rivers Chairman of the PDP (Obuah) in London, the state Secretary of the party, Walter, along with other members of the executive, addressed a news conference in Port Harcourt on Friday.

    “These are a few of the faux pas and some of aggressions of Governor Amaechi, occasioned by his frustration and inability to oversee the affairs of the state,” he said, adding: “The PDP therefore bids him farewell from the party and also wishes him well in his future endeavour with the yet-to-be registered APC.”

    The Publicity Secretary of the Obuah faction, Mr. Samuel Nwanosike, asked Amaechi to move to another political party, saying Speaker Otelemaba Dan Amachree was “impeached” on July 9 and that with the election of Evans Bipi, who represents Ogu/Bolo constituency to replace him, freedom has come to the state.

    However, the Publicity Secretary of the Ake-led faction of the PDP, George Ukwuoma-Nwogba, dismissed Walter’s utterances as very unfortunate.

    He said: “Unfortunate utterances of Mr. lbibia Walter are unbecoming of a true party man. The likes of Walter are those destroying the PDP in Rivers State, through their unguarded utterances.

    “For the interest of the general public and the faithful, Governor Amaechi remains not only in the PDP, but also the leader in Rivers State. Let Walter lbibia accept the fact that Governor Amaechi remains key in the continued electoral victory of the PDP in the state.

    “Governor Amaechi remains committed to his membership of the PDP and as the chairman of the NGF, he can play host to members of that forum, either in Minna, Okrika or Abuja. If Mr. Walter means well for the party, he should seek avenue to secure the confidence of Governor Amaechi, who is the leader of our party in the state.”

    He has a supporter in human rights activist, Ken Atsuwete, who described as madness, suggestion that Amaechi be expelled from the party.

    Atsuwete, a Port Harcourt-based legal practitioner said that with Amaechi challenging his suspension by the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) in court and the intervention of many stakeholders, any move to force him out by the party in the state would amount to an illegality.

    He insisted that there was no impeachment on the floor of the State House of Assembly on July 9 and there would be no need to go to court over the issue.

    Another Port Harcourt-based lawyer, Chris Itamunola, asked the 27 pro-Amaechi lawmakers to go to court over the impeachment saga.

    Atsuwete and Itamunola were guests yesterday on Rhythm 93.7 FM Port Harcourt phone-in programme while Nwanosike joined through the telephone from Lagos.

    Atsuwete asked President Jonathan and other stakeholders to quickly intervene and resolve the political crisis with a view to restoring peace. He said: “Recommending Governor Amaechi for expulsion by Rivers PDP is madness. PDP’s statement is subjudice. Bipi is an impersonator. There was no impeachment in Rivers Assembly on July 9. Amachree remains the speaker of Rivers House of Assembly. There is no need to go to court.”

     

    Itamunola said: “To impeach a speaker of House of Assembly, there is a procedure to follow, in line with the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The purported impeachment should be challenged in court.

    “Recommending Governor Amaechi for expulsion by Rivers PDP must be subject to the law. The NGF chairman’s suspension is in court. The governor must tender his resignation from the PDP, before the party’s leadership can wish him well or bid him farewell.”

    Nwanosike, who is also the Secretary-General of the Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI), labelled the Amachree-led Assembly as a rubber-stamp of the executive arm.

    According to him: “Amaechi should go to another political party. He is no longer wanted in the PDP. Most of the 27 members of the Rivers House of Assembly betrayed Amaechi and voted on July 9 for Bipi as the speaker.

    “Judiciary is the last hope of the common man. Bipi and his teeming supporters will want to give evidence, when Amachree and others go to court. The conditions for peace in Rivers state are that Amaechi must recognise Chief Obuah as the chairman of the PDP, suspended officials of Obio/Akpor LG council must be recalled and the lawmakers should sit and recognise Bipi as the speaker.”

  • Rivers crisis: Amaechi seeks audience with Jonathan over security

    Rivers crisis: Amaechi seeks audience with Jonathan over security

    Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State is favourably disposed to seeking audience with President Goodluck Jonathan on the prevailing security situation in the state,The Nation can now report.

    His position stems in part from the advice to him on Thursday by nine of his colleagues who paid him a solidarity visit in Port Harcourt.

    Besides, some governors may also meet the President on how to end the Rivers State crisis,while some security agencies are said to favour reconciliation rather than allowing things to degenerate in the state.

    Investigation by our correspondent revealed that Amaechi has accepted the advice of his colleagues to seek audience with the President on the security situation in his State .

    “The governor will meet with the President on the security issue alone but without discussing politics,” a source close to him said.

    “He has accepted the advice of his colleagues and would seek audience. We hope the President would also accede to the governor’s request”.

    However, there were fears,last night, that Jonathan might not meet with Amaechi.

    One source said: “As a matter of fact, some governors, who are pro-Jonathan, yesterday called on some of those backing Amaechi to prevail on the President to have audience with the Rivers governor.

    “They have fears that Jonathan may shut the Villa doors against Amaechi. But if Jonathan shuns Amaechi, Nigerians would have known better.”

    Also, a few pro-Jonathan governors have concluded plans to convince Jonathan to make peace with Amaechi.

    A third source said: “These pro-Jonathan governors might meet the President in the next few days on the way forward. Their concern is about threats to the nation’s democracy.

    “If a former Head of State, Gen. Abubakar Abdulsalami, can warn the nation, no one needs a soothsayer on why we must resolve this crisis in the overall interest of our democracy.

    “Even some of the security agencies in their reports are in favour of reconciliation. This is why we want this crisis put behind us.”

    Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State who spoke for his colleagues from Lagos,Oyo,Ogun,Osun,Imo,Zamfara and Nasarawa at the end of the visit to Amaechi on Thursday said they advised the Rivers governor to “brief President Goodluck Jonathan who is actually our leader and Chief Security Officer of the country on the very,very challenging security situation here in Rivers State.”

    He added: “We believe that our chairman and brother (Amaechi) will give serious consideration to that particular concern that we have also expressed to him,that it is important as the chief security officer of Rivers State to take the opportunity to go and brief Mr.President on the security situation in the state.”

    Meanwhile, the Police Service Commission (PSC) is yet to consider Amaechi’s petition because some of its members are currently abroad.

    A reliable source, who spoke in confidence, said: “We will look at the petition on its own merit but we cannot do that now because a couple of us are out of the country.

    “What happened in Rivers State bordered on indiscipline by some policemen and the PSC needs to address that. Some of these policemen got involved in the crisis indicating that politics has influenced them.

    “This is what we have been saying about long time posting of officers and men to politically exposed persons. Our officers are men get carried away by postings to political offices.”

    Governor Amaechi ,last week,wrote a petition to the PSC calling for the redeployment of the Commissioner of Police in the State,Mr.Mbu Joseph Mbu,for allegedly openly taking sides with those who are out to bring down his (Amaechi’s) government.

    He also said the security situation in the state has been on a free fall since Mbu’s assumption of office last February.

    The result,according to him, is the erosion of public confidence in the force

    He told the Chairman of the PSC Sir. Mike Okiro that the only way to restore the confidence of the people of the state in the Police is to remove Mbu from the state.

    The petition, dated July 9, 2013,came 48 hours ahead of the setting up of a police panel by IGP Abubakar to probe the involvement of police personnel in last Monday’s fracas on the floor of the Rivers State House of Assembly and his warning to political actors to seek civilised and decent means of resolving their differences.

  • Court declines bid to stop pro-Amaechi lawmaker’s arrest

    Court declines bid to stop pro-Amaechi lawmaker’s arrest

    The Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Mr. Chidi Lloyd ,yesterday suffered a setback in his bid to stop the police from arresting him after a State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt declined his application on the matter.

    The Police had, on Wednesday, declared him wanted in connection with the July 9 fracas on the floor of the Assembly.

    The police said he is wanted for alleged conspiracy, attempted murder, wounding, and wilful damage.

    He was said to have attempted to murder the state legislator representing Obio/Akpor Constituency II, Michael Chinda,during the free for all fight when the five pro-Wike members of the Assembly stormed the House in an attempt to impeach Speaker Otelemaba Amachree.

    The plot failed.

    According to the spokesperson for the State Police Command, Mrs. Angela Agabe, Lloyd had failed to respond to police invitation, which elapsed on July 15.

    She said:”The crime is being investigated by a special team from the Inspector-General of Police in collaboration with the state Criminal Investigation Division, Rivers command.

    “He was last seen at the Rivers State House of Assembly on the July 9, 2013. All efforts to trace his whereabouts have so far proved abortive.”

    Lloyd subsequently went to court seeking a stay of action on the plan by the police to arrest him.

    However , Justice Esor Teetito yesterday declined to grant the application.

    He directed that the police be put on notice and adjourned the case for hearing on the motion.

    He said:”I have carefully gone through the Ex-parte application before me and equally heard the submissions of the applicant.

    “The nature of the application is the type that the respondent should be put on notice. It is for this reason I decline the application to restrain the parties from carrying out further actions. I rather order that the parties be put on notice, to enable them come and defend their actions.”

    He therefore adjourned the matter till July 25, 2013, for hearing.

    Defendants in the suit are the Inspector-General of Police, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in-charge of Zone 6, Calabar and the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State.

    Lloyd, represented by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Beneolisa Nwaofor, had urged the court to put the defendants on notice and make a separate order to urge parties to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the ex-parte application.

    Nwaofor after receiving nod of the court to serve the defendants said: “having abandoned prayers one, two and even four (which were not made open in the court), prayer three becomes mandatory for the court to make.

    “The court should put the parties on notice to come before the court. I equally urge the court to issue an order to the parties to maintain the status quo and stop further actions on the issue until they come back to court.

    “This is owing to the fact that some of our relieves have been abandoned, so that no party should go ahead to carry out further actions while the case is before the court.”

    In an interview with newsmen shortly after the session, Nwaofor, said: “we filed an application for the enforcement of the fundamental rights of the majority leader of the Rivers state House of Assembly, Chidi Lloyd, and we have been able to take the first step in the matter before the honourable Judge today (yesterday).”

    On the refusal of the court to expressly restrain the police from arresting Lloyd.he said: “it is wrong to say that the court refused because the court said that, ours, being a law abiding society, that is it the proper thing that now that the case is in the court, none of the parties can now ignore the court and proceed to do the act sought to be restrained, Which is the proper thing.

    “When you take somebody to court, the matter is no longer in the domain of the warring parties; it is now in the domain of the court. It is now laid on us as law abiding citizens to now stop whatever the parties are doing in respect to the matter and wait for the determination of the court in the matter.

    “Now we are taking the Police to court, Police is also a law abiding agency of the Federal Government; they themselves enforce law, we expect the Police in the nature of their profession, knowing that the matter is now in court to stop every action and come to court to defend whatever they intend to do, or what they have done already.

    “All they have done already and what they intend to do have been challenged in this court, and I believe they have the right to get their on counsel and come to convince the court that they are doing the right thing.”

  • Governors visit Amaechi, urge him to meet President

    Governors visit Amaechi, urge him to meet President

    A delegation of eight governors has advised, Gov. Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers, to personally visit President Goodluck Jonathan and brief him of the poor security situation of state.

    They gave the advice when they paid a solidarity visit to Amaechi in Port Harcourt on Thursday.

    The governors are: Kayode Fayemi, Ekiti; Babatunde Fashola, Lagos State; Ibukunle Amosu, Ogun; Rauf Aregbesola, Osun; and Abiola Ajumobi, Oyo State.

    The governors of Imo, Nassarawa State and Zamfara, represented their governors.

    They met with Amaechi in a close-door, while their spokesman, Fayemi, told newsmen that their mission was to stress the importance of their concern for the security of Rivers.

    Fayemi said that the issue of security in the country was “far more of a major concern’’ to Nigerians.

    According to him, we have met with our brother and chairman of our forum in an extensive discussion and he has briefed us on the situation on ground here.

    “We do feel strongly, having listened to him that it is quite important for him to actually go and brief Mr President, who is our leader and the chief security officer of the country on the very challenging security situation here in Rivers.

    “We believe that our chairman and brother will give serious consideration to that particular concern we have expressed to him.

    “It is important, as the chief security officer of Rivers, to take the opportunity to go and brief Mr President on the security situation in the state.

    “In our discussion with our brother, we talked on the importance for the hierarchy of our police authority, the Inspector General of Police, to help in restoring the confidence of the people of Rivers in police.

    “For us, we believe that this is a matter that requires the moral authority of Mr President as well; it is about saving the democracy; it is about ensuring that peace reigns in Rivers.

    Fayemi said that nobody should use any means to create tension in any place in the country.

    He added: “the tension in Rivers is avoidable and we want all parties to sheathe their sword and to help restore the peace and security of the state.’’

    The Zamfara Deputy Governor, Alhaji Mukhtar Anka, believed that Amaechi briefing Jonathan would help find a lasting solution to the crises.

  • Jonathan, Amaechi and culture of self-help

    Jonathan, Amaechi and culture of self-help

    To properly grasp the far reaching implications of the mayhem that took place in the Rivers House of Assembly last week, we will have to situate it within the larger context of a ‘self-help culture’, a euphemism for anarchy which has come to define the fourth republic since its advent in 1999. When I suggested diarchy on this page last week as one possible way of curing those who have institutionalized a’ culture of self-help’ of their madness, many thought I was dragging the nation backwards.

    General Obasanjo, as the chief guardian of the military decreed 1999 constitution, undermined the legislature and the judiciary. Accused governors were impeached by a handful of state legislators who themselves must have compromised their positions from a hotel room hundred of miles from the scene of their crime.

    The culture of self-help became institutionalised. Serving governors rigged elections through the help of the police and directed their victims to go to court while brigands held on to their priced loot- the governor’s seat. NNPC and Nigerian Ports were unabashedly and openly used as sources of patronage. Legislators, without qualms awarded themselves scandalously indefensible salaries and allowances.

    The current crisis in Rivers is about 2015. The president and his men want 2015 without opposition and without the electorate, if resorting to self-help would achieve the same goal. Timipre Sylvia of Balyesa became the first victim. Amaechi of Rivers seems to be the next.

    But beleaguered Amaechi, who became governor in spite of PDP, is proving to be a good product of self-help culture. Trying to exploit the sentiments of his people over Rivers/Bayelsa oil well issue he had openly cried out: “They have taken our oil wells from Etche; they have taken our oil wells from Kalabari; they have taken our oil wells from Andoni and they are battling to take over those in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni. We are losing our oil wells everyday; If I speak, they will say that I am stubborn, but we have to defend our rights; Part of the problems were facing now is that we are fighting to protect our oil wells.”

    Ignoring the president body language, he seduced the opposition by sharing their sentiments on Sovereign Wealth Fund, Excess Crude Account, fuel subsidy, East-West road, Adamawa PDP case amongst others to win a Nigeria Governors Forum election by 19 to 16 votes. Humbled in its own game, the presidency scandalously embraced Jonah Jang the loser in the election. The Rivers State House of Assembly suspended the chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area allegedly for corruption. Amaechi hid under the doctrine of separation of power to ignore the presidency pressure to reverse the decision. Again, beaten in its own game, Abuja resorted to self help. Obio-Akpor LGA was taken over by the Rivers State Police Command who chased out the council officials without any legal authority and without information or consent of the state governor. Dakuku Peterside, a federal legislator from the area described the action as ‘the height of lawlessness which each day moves us closer to anarchy’.

    Amaechi lost out in Rivers PDP intra-party feuds. But he secured a moral victory because the judgment in favour of Obuah who did not participate in the Rivers PDP congress nine months earlier was thought to have been influenced by powers that be in Abuja. The Abuja FTC court judgment by Justice Ishaq Bello, was described by Professor Itse Sagay as having ‘the capacity of derailing our democracy.’

    Joseph Mbu, the Rivers State Commissioner of Police claimed he has the mandate of the National Security Adviser (NSA) in far away Abuja to chair the Rivers Internal Security Council while Amaechi, as the chief security officer of his state wanted it rotated. Mbu, publicly called the governor names, supervised a demonstration led by militants but insisted the governor would need a permit to lead his own protest against Mbu and his Abuja backers. Amaechi once again got sympathy from far away Niger State whose governor Babangida Aliyu, said, “Mbu, allegedly, with the backing of federal government, has virtually taken over the security functions of democratically elected governor”.

    In June, in a show of power, the First Lady shut down the Rivers State capital ostensibly to attend the wedding of Evans Bipialaka. In July the same man at the head of five legislators procured a fake maze and proceeded before the arrival of 23 other members, purportedly impeached the speaker and declared self the new speaker. Even while the perversity was still going on, the Obuah led faction of Rivers PDP, loyal to the presidency, congratulated Bipialaka . “The lawmakers who elected Bipialaka as their Speaker had once again demonstrated the unity and sense of purpose that characterized the hallowed chamber before the crisis”; the party’s spokesman, Monday Oyenzeowu asserted in a statement. Gulak assertion that ‘Jonathan, a man of peace’ is not behind Rivers crisis only make critical minds chuckle.

    Betrayed by Mbu and abandoned by Abuja, Governor Amaechi also resorted to self-help. He rallied round a few loyal security men ostensibly to rescue his 23 loyal lawmakers and dislodged the’ five law makers’ loyal to the president. In the ensuing melee, Okey Chindah, a member of the President’s army of self-help enforcers was battered with the fake maze he and his daring four law makers had procured. He has since been flown abroad by the federal government for treatment, on tax papers account following his injuries.

    Now, the presidency, the god father of a ‘culture of self-help’ is blaming Amaechi for resorting to self help to chase out rascals and hoodlums that took over the state House of Assembly. His political adviser, said, “I am not aware of any plan to impeach the governor …what I know is that the House of Assembly intended to change their leadership, rightly or wrongly, they have a constitutional right to do it if they have the majority.’ Ahmed Gulak conveniently forgot to say, the presidency’s five foot-soldiers tried to impeach a speaker backed by 23 lawmakers.

    The Inspector General of Police M.D. Abubakar and the Police Service Commission chairman, Mike Okiro are more interested in the professional misconduct of the governor’s security aides. But many Nigerians, because of their own antecedents, unfortunately see their emergence as arising from a ‘culture of self-help’. Okiro, critics claimed was a card carrying member of PDP and an alleged government contractor before his appointment. Very few similarly forgot his role in the humiliation of Ribadu who as chairman of EFCC was demoted before being chased out of office and the country because he stepped on the toes of corrupt PDP leaders notably the British-jailed James Ibori and other ‘South-south’ indicted governors. Abubakar, the IG on his part, was alleged to have been indicted by the Justice Niki Tobi Commission of Inquiry examining the 2001 Jos crisis as Commissioner of Police in Plateau State, for allegedly taking sides in the sectarian violence which led to the death hundreds. In other words the outcome of the probe would be taken with a pinch of the salt by cynical public.

    But perhaps as the2015 battle becomes more vicious with both Abuja and Port Harcourt relying on ‘self-help’ to outwit each other, both sides may need to weigh the observation of  Dr. Junaid Muhammad that the culture of self-help as demonstrated by the ‘current developments in the PDP and especially in Rivers State bear an uncanny resemblance to the old Western Region, which led to the collapse of the First Republic, with very serious and bloody consequences. Then and now, the popularly elected leaders of those parts of the country were prevented from exercising political power and control, and the operations of the police, the army and the rump of security services were interfered with in a brazen political manner.’

    Perhaps we should add by reminding ourselves that when decent men such as Awo, Rotimi Williams, Enahoro, Adegbenro, Soroye opted to tackle the brigands and their federal backers in court, the judicial process was manipulated. And when they appealed to the British Privy Council, the federal government overnight changed the laws. One would have thought the travails of our nation since 1966 would have been instructive to those in Abuja who think they are invincible. But do people ever learn from history?

  • Amaechi, Wike’s supporters clash in Port Harcourt

    Amaechi, Wike’s supporters clash in Port Harcourt

    … Hurl missiles, visiting Northern governors unperturbed

    The supporters of the Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, and the Minister of State for Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, clashed on Tuesday at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, with missiles hurled at one another, while the visiting Northern governors were unperturbed.

    The Governors of Kano State, Alhaji Rabiu Kwakwanso; Niger State, Alhaji Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu; Jigawa State, Sule Lamido; and Adamawa State, Murtala Nyako;, flew into Port Harcourt on Tuesday morning to show solidarity to the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF).

    Over 5,000 supporters of Wike, under the aegis of the Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI), moved to the airport as early as 7 am, to express displeasure on the visit by the northern governors and were confronted by Amaechi’s supporters at the parking lot of the airport, with missiles flying and people scampering to safety.

    A prominent Nigerian, who witnessed the incident at the airport, but would not want his name in print, said the clash was uncalled for, stressing that it heightened tension in the area, leading to confusion and passengers had to either hide or run for their lives, to avoid sustaining injuries.

    Men of the Rivers State Police Command and operatives of the State Security Service (SSS) were on hand to prevent the breakdown of law and order.

    The Secretary-General of the GDI, Samuel Nwanosike, who is also the Rivers Publicity Secretary of the PDP, in a telephone interview, said it was a “peaceful” protest, with Wike supporters “singing and dancing,” to show that they were not happy with the visit of the governors from the North.

    As at press time, the four governors were still meeting with their host (Amaechi) at the Government House, Port Harcourt, with reporters patiently waiting for the outcome.

     

  • Amaechi raises panel on House crisis

    Amaechi raises panel on House crisis

    Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi last night inaugurated a nine-man commission of inquiry on the July 9 and 10 crisis in the House of Assembly.

    The commission is to submit its report on or before October 15.

    A serving Judge of the Rivers State Judiciary, Justice Biobele Georgewill, is the Chairman of the commission, with Baribura Gbaragbo, Goddy Agbaraosimini, Iboroma Akpana, Ejike Iwediba, Desmond WOsu (ithe Public Relations Officer of the Rivers State University Science and Technology (RSUST), Port Harcourt), as members.

    But Rivers State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chief Felix Obuah said: “Amaechi cannot be a judge in his own case. Amaechi is a principal suspect in the matter.”

     

  • How to end Rivers Assembly crisis

    The political crisis in Rivers State is threatening the rule of law and order. The House of Representatives has resolved to take over legislative duties there until order is restored. Is that the best solution in the circumstance? How can the crisis be resolved? PRECIOUS IGBONWELUNDU sought lawyers’ views.

    It began with the suspension of a local government chairman by the Rivers State House of Assembly two months ago. Since then, the state has not known peace.

    The developments have undermined the rule of law and threatened social order in the oil-rich state.

    It reached a crescendo last week when a show of shame occurred.

    The state lawmakers fought with weapons, injuring one another.

    Last Tuesday’s fight, according to reports, started following the alleged impeachment of the Speaker, Otelemaba Amachree, by five of the 32 legislators.

    Evans Bipi as the new “Speaker”, sparking public outrage.

    This did not go down well with the other 27 members, especially because the legislators had pledged their loyalties to the different factions of the state’s crisis-ridden Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP).

    Many observers have described the Rivers situation as an abuse to democracy and an infraction of Section 92 of the 1999 Constitution that clearly stipulates the procedure for the impeachment of a Speaker.

    Many believe the antics were deployed by the PDP-led Federal Government, to get its pound of flesh from Governor Rotimi Amaechi, whom the party suspended on May 30, for “anti-party activities”.

    Although critics have faulted the state governor for interfering in the affair of the state legislature, which is constitutionally independent from the executive, observers were of the view that Amaechi was the ultimate target of the infamous impeachment, which they likened to some cases during former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s tenure, in which perceived enemies of the President were tormented through state legislatures or security agents.

    Similarly, President Goodluck Jonathan has been accused by observers as being responsible for the crisis in Rivers State because of his disagreements with the governor on many issues, including his (Amaechi) contesting the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) election against the instruction of the PDP. The presidency has, however, denied any involvement in the Rivers PDP crisis with Amaechi accusing the Federal Government of besieging the state and imposing a Commissioner of Police that is partisan.

    It, however, took Tuesday’s deadly assault at the state Assembly for the National Assembly to wade into the matter. The House of Representatives in a motion proposed by Albert Tsokwa (Taraba State) passed a resolution in line with Section 11(4) of the 1999 Constitution, to take over legislative functions of the state as well as supported the immediate deployment of the Commissioner of Police, Joseph Mbu.

    Tsokwa, in the motion entitled “Threat to democracy and inability of the House of Assembly of Rivers to sit and transact legislative business in the house”, had noted that the state Assembly had on previous occasions tried to hold its normal sittings and transact parliamentary business but was unable to do so because of hoodlums in the precincts of the House and the inability of the Police to provide the legitimate authorities of the House with security.

    Is the House of Reps’ resolution the best solution in this circumstance? How can the crisis be resolved to avoid anarchy and what is the way forward for the state? Lawyers who spoke on the issue differed on the resolution of the House. While some believed it was laudable and called on the Senate to adopt the Reps’ position, others described the position of the Reps as premature and hasty.

    The lawyers held that it was the insensitivity of the political class to the plight of the masses as well as their selfish interests that drives their action. They all condemned the violence that took place at the Rivers Assembly.

    They blamed Obasanjo as well as the Federal Government for insecurity and unrest in Rivers State. The lawyers insisted that the Rivers crisis was being fuelled because the five legislators and security agencies have the support of the presidency.

    Those who spoke on the issue included professors of law Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) and Itse Sagay (SAN); former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President Oliseh Agbakoba (SAN); former Kwara State governorship candidate under the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) , Dele Belgore (SAN); Chief Emeka Ngige (SAN); rights activist Femi Falana (SAN); constitutional lawyer Dr. Fred Agbaje; activist Bamidele Aturu as well as Lagos-based lawyers Prince Kazeeem Adebanjo and Ebun-Olu Adegoruwa.

    Osinbajo said it was a contrived one and a carefully-designed breach of law and order by a minority of members of the Rivers House of Assembly (five in all) with the obvious support of the presidency. He said it was important not to allow “this cynical abuse of power by the presidency to be passed off as a “crisis”.

    “It is irresponsible indeed that while the nation reels from the horrendous murder of twenty-nine school children in Yobe by terrorists and the continuing mindless violence in many parts of the North-East, the Presidency’s reaction is to fuel disorder in Rivers State. Every time the Civil authority encourages or permits a breakdown of law and order, it diminishes its own legitimacy, undermines the viability of civil rule itself and excites thoughts of military intervention.”

    Sagay said it was obvious the five Rivers State legislators (anti-Amaechi) feel they have the backing of the Federal Government and, therefore, the support of security agencies and so they can overwhelm Rivers State by force and overcome the law.

    “They think they can totally superimpose the rule of force against the rule of law by deriving their power from the army and the police. Until they are told by those in Abuja that they do not have their support and should abide by the rule of law, they are not likely to stop.”

    Ngige, Belgore, Falana, Agbaje and Aturu said the crisis was being fuelled by political intolerance. They accused the presidency of pettiness and culpability. Citing the situations in Oyo, Plateau and Anambra under the Obasanjo administration, the lawyers noted that the presidency was taking a cue from the Obasanjo examples, which were voided by the courts, and none of the people involved in those crises were brought to book.

    To Falana, the purported removal of the Speaker violated Section 92(2) of the Constitution which provides that a House Speaker cannot be removed without the votes of not less than two thirds majority of the entire members. “Since there are 32 members of the house at least 22 members are required to vote for the valid removal of the Speaker.”

    Ngige said: “For the immediate cause of crisis in Rivers State, we all know it has to do with politics of 2015. The President of Nigeria wants to run again in 2015 and perceives that Governor Amaechi is nursing a vice presidential ambition in the same election. He, therefore, considers Amaechi as a threat to his re-election. I now ask: Is that the reason why Amaechi should be crucified or Rivers State turned into a theatre of war? Why are our politicians so intolerant of opposing views? Are we practising democracy or monarchy where the views of the King are unchallengeable? The crisis in Rivers State is a challenge to the rule of law. A situation where the Commissioner of Police is openly supporting the renegades in their nefarious activities is condemnable.

    “It should be mentioned that the Commissioner of Police, Mbu Joseph Mbu, was an Assistant Commissioner (Admin) during the Anambra State political crisis of 2003-2004. So, it can be seen that he was thoroughly schooled to unleash what is going on in Rivers State today.

    Belgore described the Rivers State Assembly fiasco as “one act of banditry and political thuggery too many.” He said it was unfortunate the President could not order his minister (Wike) to face his ministerial job and stop unnecessary state politics.

    “The presidency cannot bury its head in the sand on this one and absolve itself of responsibility for the crisis…Would a minister whose responsibility is to the Federal Government delve so disruptively into a state’s local politics knowing that such involvement would draw the disapproval of the President?”

    Adegboruwa argued that since the case of the removal of the Speaker was in court, the politicians should have left the court to determine his fate.

    Aturu wondered how legislators could behave like hoodlums and murderers. “I am thoroughly ashamed as a Nigerian that this kind of thing could happen in the Rivers House of Assembly. The government should ensure that those involved are punished.”

    The House of Representatives’ resolution

    Osibanjo faulted the resolution to take over legislative duties of the state Assembly but noted that the Reps were in order for calling for the transfer of the Police Commissioner.

    He said: “The reaction of the House, therefore, comes to no more than treating a symptom as though it were the ailment itself. Clearly taking over legislative functions in Rivers State is neither the right approach nor is it even legally tenable.”

    He noted that the provision of Section 11 envisages a breakdown of law and order or some other crisis in the state itself, making meetings of the House of Assembly impossible, which he insisted has clearly not been met.

    “It is where the civil authority, such as the Police, say or it is clear that they are unable to maintain law and order in the state and this makes it impossible for the House to sit, that the National Assembly may intervene. That situation has simply not arisen. What has happened, so far, is simply that the law and order apparatus appears unwilling to maintain law and order.”

    He said to take over legislative duties of the Rivers Assembly would be precipitate and clearly illegal.

    Sagay argued that it is totally wrong, premature and of doubtful legality for the National Assembly to take over legislative functions in Rivers State.

    “There is no evidence that the Rivers State House of Assembly cannot meet. They met on Tuesday and that power cannot be exercised unless the Assembly of a state cannot meet.

    “Now they said, they can only meet when they are guided by policemen, so what? They need to be protected does not mean they cannot meet. In my view, that criteria has not been satisfied for the House of Representatives to pass such resolution.

    “Secondly, Section 105 that involves the National Assembly exercising powers of security and Section 305 that involves during a state of emergency all boils down to a situation where there is an emergency, where unless there is a declaration of an emergency, the National Assembly does not have power to legislate or exercise direct power from the federal.

    “Although it does not say so in express words, that is the spirit. Thirdly, it is presumptuous for the National Assembly to think it can know what the people of Rivers State need and legislate for them, when it cannot even cope with its own responsibility at the national level.

    Ngige commended the Reps for the resolution and called on the Senate to concur.

    He said: “With the emergence of a fake Speaker, whose intention of impeaching the Governor of Rivers State with four out of 27 members was in public domain, the resolution of the House of Representatives for the takeover of the business of Rivers House of Assembly under Section 11(4) of the Constitution is very commendable. I hope the Senate will tow the same line as the House of Reps in the interest of democracy.”

    Falana also said the House of Reps was in order and acted in accordance with the constitution.

    He said: “By virtue of Section 11 of the Constitution the National Assembly is empowered to take over the legislative functions of a House of Assembly of a state if the members are unable to discharge their duties.

    “Since the security forces have taken over the assembly complex in Port Harcourt and prevented the members from conducting any legislative business, the House of Representatives was in order when it resolved to make laws for the Rivers State House of Assembly until further notice. However, the resolution cannot be effective unless it is backed by the Senate.”

    In Agbaje’s view, the National Assembly taken over of the legislative functions of the Rivers Assembly was not in the interest of the Rivers people.

    “That decision of the House of Reps is too pre-emptory, haste and premature. Is the National Assembly and police not tacitly supporting minority four against the 15 majority members in the Rivers House? Did the 15 members not subsequently sit and transact legislative business after the politically sponsored mayhem? They sat of course!

    “The federal government is just looking for cheap excuses to impeach the speaker and then later go for the political jogular of Ameachi through a contrived impeachment. All about 2015 general Election!!! First, it was Aso Rock disorganisation of NGF and now, Ameachi’s political base- Rivers State.”

    Aturu said the decision of the House was in order as the constitution allows it. He however noted that the situation must have gotten to a level where the State Assembly cannot function and there is imminent danger of lives and property.

    “Whether that is the case now, it is a matter of fact. I don’t think we should rush to such decision, but if there are grounds for that, of course we will not allow people to be killed before we allow remedial actions.”

    The way forward

    Agbaje said the way out was for both Jonathan and Ameachi to drop their political ambitions against 2015 general election, otherwise 2015 general election is doomed in advance.

    Osibanjo said: “This is why the House of Representatives is entirely on point when it calls upon the IG to remove the obviously compromised Commissioner of Police in the State. When that is done, and a Commissioner of Police is appointed who will take instruction from the Governor in accordance with the Constitution is appointed, if then the circumstances still exist within Rivers State, which make the House of Assembly unable to sit, then the National Assembly may intervene.”

    He called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of all those who engaged in violence.

    Sagay advised that Abuja should issue a statement disowning them and making it clear that they do not have their support. Also, they should mandate the police to do their jobs and discipline policemen who have turned themselves to politicians in Rivers State. “The solution is for the federal government to out rightly disown those who think they have federal might and punish security agents that have become partisan in the cause of the crisis.”

    Agbakoba said the solution was for politicians to put the interest of the people first.

    “It’s down to the politcal class to put the interest of Nigerians first and all this nonsense will stop.”

    Ngige suggested that the National Judicial Council, (NJC) should issue a red alert to all judges sitting in Rivers State to be cautious in dealing with cases arising from the crisis in the state as well as ensure accelerated hearing of cases emanating from the crisis as was seen in the Obasanjo era.

    He called on the President to call his party men to order and stop giving support to renegades causing mayhem in Rivers State. Ngige said the President should be “statesman in this crisis and learn from the mistakes of General Obasanjo who enjoyed destabilizing State governments that were not in his good books.

    “At the end of Obasanjo’s tenure, what happened to PDP in South West? Instability and turmoil took over including his household. That’s a lesson for all of us that when you sow the wind you reap the whirlwind. Our President should be a statesman and allow Governor Amaechi to be. Only God can determine who will be our President in May 29th 2015. Nobody should play God. The President and his wife should not play God.”

    Aturu said the Presidency must understand that it has the final responsibility as it relates to the security of the people’s lives and property. This is because what happened in Rivers could degenerate. Don’t forget, what happened in the Western Region in the early 60s.

    he said: “This can lead to a state of emergency, a civil war even, the truncation of the so called emerging democracy. If democracy in the country is truncated, they will suffer most, because they, as politicians, benefit from the system on behalf of the people.

    “So, if this democracy is imperiled, they will find themselves in kirikiri. And I will be very glad they all go to Kirikiri.

    The way out of this is that people must learn to govern decently, and governance is not about pettiness; it is not about ambitions, not about what you can get as a person but about service to the people.”

    Adegboruwa urged the National Assembly investigate and bring to book all those responsible for the act of violence at the Rivers Assembly.

    “It is important that the President too must take steps to restore peace in Rivers State, given the allegations that have since been thrown at him, over his discreet involvement in the crisis rocking the oil rich state,” Adegboruwa said.

    Adebanjo said it was not too late for the Jonathan administration to redeem its already battered image by calling the rebel members to order. Nigerians would not forget the ignoble role the Presidency played in the NGF election when the President almost speedily recognized and gave the Jang faction executive fiat to summon and preside over the affairs of the NGF. Jang had lost the election by 16 votes to Amaechi 19.

    “I admonish our President to focus on delivering the much needed dividends of democracy to us and leave 2015 for God to decide. He should promptly address issues such as: Security, Roads, Power, Health, Education etc. May God in his infinite mercies guide our President right. Amin”.

  • Rivers PDP crisis:Options before Amaechi

    Rivers PDP crisis:Options before Amaechi

    With the crisis in the Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) seemingly intractable, the state governor, Rotimi Amaechi, looks set to take a big decision that will shape his political career. But he has just a few options, Assistant Editor, Remi Adelowo, reports  

    Just about four months ago, Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, can beat his chest and proclaim his membership of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Not anymore.

    He is currently under suspension from the party and from all indications may be shown the exit door soon.

    A crisis that began in April this year with an Abuja High Court judgment sacking the Rivers State PDP executive council, led by Chief Godspower Ake and affirming the election of Felix Obuah as the new chairman, has snowballed into a major crisis that is now threatening the peace of the state.

    The controversial court ruling has pitched two erstwhile close political associates-Amaechi, who is backing Ake, against forces allegedly backed by the Presidency, led by the Minister of State for Education, Nyesome Wike, who is supporting Obuah.

    According to informed sources, the violence that broke out at the state House of Assembly last Tuesday, where five members loyal to Wike were purported to have impeached the Speaker, Dan Amachree, a move fiercely resisted by 23 other lawmakers loyal to Amaechi, may just be the beginning of the end for the governor as a PDP member.

    The Nation gathered that plans are afoot to expel the governor from PDP, a plot the governor and his supporters are said to be aware of.

    Sources disclosed that the recent meeting between President Goodluck Jonathan and some PDP stakeholders in the state reportedly deliberated on the likely expulsion of Amaechi from the party.

    The source added, “It is just a matter of time before he (Amaechi) is expelled. The powers-that-be are only waiting till after the mini-convention of the party, which was earlier scheduled to hold in this month but was postponed until after the Ramadan period.”

    From his utterances and actions in the last few months, the governor seems prepared for the worst.

    At a church service to mark the 60th birthday of Mr. Joe Okocha, a former President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), the governor alluded to the likelihood of being forced out of the PDP.

    In his words: “I lead the people of Rivers State and I will lead them. If they suffocate us in PDP and we need to move, we move.”

    His opponents will be happy to see his back. His main antagonist, Wike, replied to the threat thus: “I don’t observe fasting but I have started fasting so that he would leave the PDP. Let him leave the PDP; it is getting too late.”

    The Presidency through the Special Adviser on Political Matters to the President, Dr. Ahmed Gulak, short of advising the governor to leave the party before he is forced out declared, ‘Discipline of party members’ lies with the party leadership at the national level. If the state chapter is complaining of anti-party activities by the governor, they will make such known to the National Working Committee (NWC).

    “So, the president was right by stressing that there would no longer be room for indiscipline in the party. Anybody who is not ready to abide by party rules can go to anywhere he wants to go. Anybody who does not believe in party supremacy can look elsewhere where his excesses may be tolerated.”

    A source, however, revealed that the Presidency is not giving up on eroding the support base of the governor, particularly his hold on the House of Assembly. But that measure looks farfetched at least for now, it was gathered.

    “Nothing would please his (opponents) more than succeeding in wooing the majority of the lawmakers in the state to their side. If this happens, the governor’s impeachment will just be a fait accompli,”the source stressed.

    Amaechi has few options

    How long can Amaechi hold on against the relentless war being waged against him by internal and external forces? Will he remain in PDP and damn the consequence or seek his political fortunes in another political party?

    The Nation gathered that remaining in the PDP is the least feasible option for the embattled governor.

    Though nothing is impossible in politics as the warring factions can still embrace reconciliation, but the situation on ground clearly suggests that the two parties are not ready to shift grounds. And even if they reconcile, can Amaechi be trusted again?

    But if he is eventually expelled from the PDP or decides to quit voluntarily, the most likely option for the governor is to move to an opposition party.

    There are unconfirmed speculations that leaders of APC have, in the last few months, been engaged in talks with Amaechi on the possibility of joining the new party where he has allegedly been promised of taking over its structures in Rivers State.

    A pointer that this move could be real after all was the recent decision by Dr. Abiye Sekibo, the governorship candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the 2011 general elections to return to PDP.

    Sekibo, a political foe of Amaechi, allegedly got wind of the plan by the leadership of the APC and quickly quit the ACN, which is a major stakeholder in APC.

    However, this plan also has its consequences. First, is the fact that the governor has a big task to quickly put APC structures firmly on ground in record time in preparations for the 2015 general elections.

    The second major task for the governor is to convince all his supporters, consisting of the deputy governor, state and national assembly members, local government chairmen, on the urgent imperative of moving to a new political party at this point in time.

    To majority of his loyalists, however, this may not be much of a problem as the governor has, in spite of the onslaughts against him, survived this far on account of the confidence reposed in his leadership by his loyalists.

    The most unlikely option also being bandied around is that the governor may decide to hold on till 2015 when the curtain is drawn on his tenure, quit politics and retire to private life.

    Still in his 40’s and boisterous in nature, quitting the political stage at this point may not be complated by the governor, said some of his close associates.

    But whichever option the governor decides to take will, unarguably, define his political future.

  • Port Harcourt residents groan as PDP crisis paralyses business activities

    Port Harcourt residents groan as PDP crisis paralyses business activities

    A middle-aged lady, Uche Okechukwu, sells recharge cards near the yet-to-be-rebuilt secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) on Moscow Road, Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, whose roof was destroyed by storm about two years ago and later demolished when it became an eyesore.

    The NUJ secretariat, named Ernest Ikoli Press Centre, to honour a renowned journalist, is adjacent the Rivers State House of Assembly, which has now been turned to a theatre of war.

    Another petty trader, Joy Kalu, also sells biscuits, sachet and bottled water as well as writing materials and other items near the zonal office of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Moscow Road and she is not currently happy.

    A seller of roast plantain, yam and fish, beside the Alfred Diete-Spiff Civic Centre, also on Moscow Road, Madam Ekaette from Calabar in Cross Rivers State, wondered why the 32 members of the Rivers House of Assembly could not resolve their differences and have to cause untold hardship for her and her family.

    Youthful vulcaniser, Nnamdi, who operates near the Rivers State secretariat, overlooking Moscow Road and back gate of the Government House, Port Harcourt, also expressed displeasure over the face-off among politicians in the crude oil and gas-rich state.

    A senior member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Port Harcourt Branch, who preferred to simply be identified as Barr. Ben, said the Rivers political crisis was taking a toll on his cases in courts near the House of Assembly (Court of Appeal and Rivers High Courts).

    Customers of some commercial banks near the Rivers House of Assembly, while responding, lamented that the deepening crisis in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was greatly affecting them as banks are always shut whenever supporters of political leaders are protesting.

    Persons with offices and business outfits on Moscow Road and adjourning areas are also not left out of the groaning as a result of low patronage, considering the incessant violent protests by politicians and use of teargas by soldiers and policemen, thereby causing stampede, health hazards and confusion.

    Residents of Moscow Road, workers at the Rivers State secretariat and occupants of the nearby Government House, Port Harcourt, are also not finding the heavy dose of teargas and political crisis easy, with tension heightened in the hitherto peaceful state.

    A senior Rivers civil servant, Mr. LongJohn, from Bonny Island, but declined to give his first name, was at a loss over the siege in the state and why politicians were becoming very desperate for power and political offices, especially as we move towards 2015.

    LongJohn wondered why President Goodluck Jonathan from Otuoke in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State; his wife, Dame Patience, who hails from Okrika, the headquarters of Okrika LGA of Rivers State and the Rivers Commissioner of Police, Mbu Joseph Mbu, an indigene of Cross Rivers State, could take sides in the crisis.

    The president has, however, continued to deny his alleged involvement in the crisis over which Governor Amaechi has already written Mr. President, the Police Service Commission and others.

    In order not to take chances, the Rivers Police Headquarters, which is adjacent the Rivers House of Assembly, is now being highly fortified, especially with Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s supporters deeply angry with Mbu, for allegedly turning to a politician, which he keeps denying, while insisting that he remains a professional police officer.

    Prior to the March this year’s posting of Mbu, an alumnus of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), from Oyo State Police Command to Rivers State and when his predecessor, Mohammed Indabawa, who swapped with him and now in Oyo Command, was Rivers police chief, security at Rivers police headquarters was not so tight.

    Preparing for what might happen some weeks after resumption, Mbu ensured that his office was highly fortified with many battle-ready riot policemen on standby with sophisticated arms and the renovated buildings heavily protected, in case of any eventuality and visitors well frisked.

    The Rivers police commissioner later described Amaechi as a tyrant and a dictator, while the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) insists that Mbu is regularly holding meetings with his political backers and acting unprofessionally.

    The attendants working at a filling station directly opposite the Rivers House of Assembly have tales of woe to tell, especially with the baptism of fire from thugs, supporters of politicians and security operatives who regularly harass them, losing valuable property in the process.

    Drivers of taxis and intra-city buses who load from Abali Park and in front of Isaac Boro Park in Mile One or Mile Three, Port Harcourt, moving to William Jumbo Street near Government House; Moscow Road and the old Port Harcourt Township, popularly called Town, have been having it rough.

    A taxi driver, Sam Chukwu, who regularly plies Mile One/Moscow Road/Town, complained of low patronage and disruption of business on the route, considering the activities of politicians and security personnel, while urging the stakeholders to quickly resolve their differences.

    Port Harcourt-based lawyer, Richard Anthony, stated that the Rivers political crisis was capable of discouraging investors from moving into the state, stressing that no right hinking person would want to invest in a volatile area.

    Anthony stressed that alternative dispute resolution strategies should be embraced, while also calling on elders to quickly intervene for the warriors to sheathe their swords.

    The Executive Director of the Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law (IHRHL), Anyakwee Nsirimovu, said it was obvious that President Jonathan and his wife were behind the Rivers crisis, but simply pretending.

    Nsirimovu declared that Amaechi was being persecuted for resisting the federal might and insisting on due process, while protecting the interests of Rivers people, especially on the issue of Kalabari oil wells being ceded to President Jonathan’s Bayelsa state.

    A renowned human rights activist, Ken Atsuwete, also a lawyer, said President Jonathan, Dame Patience, Wike and other alleged enemies of progress should leave Amaechi alone and not distract him on his transformation agenda, insisting that power belongs to God and that the ‘Abuja forces’ should stop intimidating the home-based politicians.

    A PDP stalwart, Collins Onunwo, who is also a loyalist of the Minister of State for Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, and the Obio/Akpor LG Chairman of the Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI), which has Wike as grand patron, posited that Ameachi needed help.

    Onunwo said: “As a Rivers man and a member of the PDP from Obio/Akpor LGA, let me tell the whole world that Amaechi does not take advice. We have advised him on many occasions, but he will not listen.

    “Former Rivers Governor, Dr. Peter Odili, also knows that Amaechi does not take advice. He behaves as if he knows it all. Nobody is perfect.”

    Militants are now letting loose in Rivers state, heightening fear that the crude oil and gas-rich state may soon become ungovernable, which may pave the way for the declaration of a state of emergency, thereby removing Amaechi through the back door.

    The representative of the Rivers South-East Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Magnus Ngei Abe, who is an Ogoni from Bera in Gokana LGA, is optimistic that justice will eventually be done.

    Abe, a former Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG), said: “Somebody (Chief Felix Obuah, aka Go Round, being backed by Wike, also a former chairman of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA of Rivers State, where the ex-governor Odili hails from) who neither picked form nor contested election, is now the chairman of PDP in Rivers State.

    “Rivers people, hold your peace. Do not go for war. The Judiciary has done it before and will do it again. The will of Rivers people and the will of God will be done.”

    The representative of Andoni/Opobo-Nkoro constituency of Rivers state in the National Assembly, Dakuku Adolphus Peterside, who hails from coastal Opobo, the headquarters of Opobo/Nkoro LGA of Rivers state, stresses that Amaechi is being victimised for insisting on the truth.

    Peterside also asked the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, to with immediate effect, redeploy the Rivers police commissioner from Rivers State for allegedly acting unprofessionally.

    Since May 6, the Otelemaba Dan Amachree-led Rivers House of Assembly could not sit in view of the withdrawal of police protection from the lawmakers, especially the 27 pro-Amaechi legislators.

    The PDP in Rivers State, however, condemned the resolution of the House of Representatives to take over the state Assembly.

    Rivers factional Chairman Obuah enjoined the party’s faithful, Port Harcourt residents and other people in Rivers State to go about their normal duties without fear.

    Obuah said: “Rivers PDP condemns the action of the House of Representatives in its totality. The federal lawmakers should not take over the functions of the members of the Rivers House of Assembly.

    “The members of the House of Representatives accused Mbu of playing a script. Whose script are the members of the House of Representatives playing?

    “The decisions of the members of the House of Representatives are not reflecting the total view of the people of Rivers State. We are law-abiding people. We are thanking the senators for the maturity displayed in handling the Rivers State crisis. We urge others to toe the line.

    “The Rivers Commissioner of Police is a core professional. He refused to play their script. Since Mbu resumed in Rivers State in March, there has been peace and order in Rivers State with crime rate drastically reduced.”

    While commenting on the injured anti-Amaechi lawmakers, especially Michael Okechukwu Chinda, who represents Obio/Akpor II constituency, the Rivers PDP chairman said in view of the seriousness of the injuries sustained, he might be flown abroad for further treatment.

    Without formal communication, soldiers guarding the Government House, Port Harcourt and two Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) have been withdrawn.

    The Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt, Chief Tony Okocha, described the development as very strange, while urging the Federal Government and the Nigerian Army not to expose Amaechi and other occupants of the Brick House (Government House) to danger.

    In view of the frosty relationship with the Rivers police commissioner; he noted that withdrawing the soldiers at this crucial period was very unfortunate, in bad taste and ill-timed.

    It was later discovered that the Commanding Officer of Elele Barracks in Rivers State, politely effected the withdrawal of the soldiers and APCs from the Government House, Port Harcourt, based on “order from above.”

    While commenting on the “sudden” withdrawal of the soldiers and APCs, Amaechi described it as shocking, declaring that he and other Rivers people, especially his supporters, had been under siege.

    The Rivers Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, said: “There is no official communication from the Nigerian Army or the Federal Government on the withdrawal of the soldiers and APCs. I am with the Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG, George Feyii) and he has not been notified.”

    There is an uneasy calm in Port Harcourt and other parts of Rivers State, over the deepening crisis in the PDP with the pro and anti-Amaechi lawmakers backed by Wike restrategising.

    The Rivers House of Assembly remained sealed off with soldiers and policemen intensifying patrol of the major roads and streets of Port Harcourt and its environs, to prevent the breakdown of law and order.

    The Public Relations Officer of the 2 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Bori Camp, Port Harcourt, Major Michael Etete, said he was not aware of who authorised the withdrawal of the soldiers and the APCs from the Government House, Port Harcourt.

    The Chief of Staff said: “Before I left the Government House, Port Harcourt on July 10, the Commanding Officer of Elele Barracks said he was on a mission to withdraw the soldiers and the two APCs in Government House. That he was acting on superior order.

    “The two APCs were in Government House, Port Harcourt, before Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi became the governor of Rivers state. Why withdrawing them now with the soldiers at a time Mbu is not relating well with us?

    “Withdrawing the soldiers and APCs portends great danger. With the situation of things, the Rivers Commissioner of Police cannot be trusted with the protection of Government House and its occupants, having taken sides in the political crisis.

    “The primary purpose of government is the protection of lives and property of the citizens. The Federal Government and the Nigerian Army should ensure immediate return of the soldiers and the APCs to the Government House, Port Harcourt.

    “We are law-abiding citizens and the Rivers State government is made up of peace-loving people. We will not resort to self-help, but the Federal Government should do the right thing and must not play politics with the lives of the governor and other occupants of the Government House, Port Harcourt.”

    The presiding judge adopted the affidavit of the Chairman of the PDP, Edo State chapter, Dan Orbih, who in his affidavit stated that the results being paraded by Ake, did not emanate from the congress that he conducted in Rivers state.

    In an attempt to fight back and hit Wike, 27 of the 32 members of the Rivers House of Assembly, loyal to Amaechi, on April 22 suspended the Chairman of Obio/Akpor LG, Prince Timothy Nsirim; his deputy, Solomon Eke; and all the seventeen councillors.

    The five pro-Wike lawmakers: Michael Chinda (Obio/Akpor II constituency), Kelechi Godspower Nwogu (Omuma), Evans Bipi (Ogu/Bolo), Martins Amaewhule (Obio/Akpor I) and Victor Ihunwo (Port Harcourt III), refused to support the suspension.

    A seven-member caretaker committee, headed by Chikordi David Dike, was screened by members of the Rivers Assembly on April 23 and inaugurated on the same day by the Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG), George Feyii, but could not function at the secretariat, still sealed off by the police, on order from above.

    On April 29, the Obuah-led PDP suspended the 27 pro-Amaechi lawmakers from the PDP, for refusing to reinstate Nsirim and other officials of Obio/Akpor LG, but they proceeded to court and got an injunction restraining the party from taking further steps, until the determination of the substantive suit, which is still being heard.

    The National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP decided to wield the big stick by later suspending Amaechi for anti-party activities, with the NGF chairman declaring that he might move to an unnamed political party, if the PDP leadership refused to ensure justice.

    The national leadership of the ruling party wanted Amaechi to reinstate the suspended officials of the Obio/Akpor LG, but the youthful governor insisted that it was the business of the lawmakers, who were investigating them for alleged corruption and should be allowed to perform their duties.

    The warring groups are jostling for Rivers state’s over two million votes, ahead of the 2015 elections, but care must be taken not to heat up the polity, while the warriors must sheathe their swords and give peace a chance, to ensure development.