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  • Police ban political rallies in Rivers

    Police ban political rallies in Rivers

    The Rivers State Police Command yesterday announced a ban on all forms of political gatherings and rallies by all political groups, including the Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI).

    The Commissioner of Police, Mbu Joseph Mbu, in a statement in Port Harcourt said the ban was because of the increasing political tension in the state.

    Gunmen at Bori Khana Local Government last month foiled the rally by the members of “Save Rivers Movement (SRM), a socio-cultural group supporting Governor Rotimi Amaechi.

    Earlier, the police had disrupted a similar gathering by the group at Obio/Akpor Local Government. Senator Magnus Abe was reportedly shot in the groin by the police at the event. He is still being treated in a London hospital.

    The police denied them security cover, despite their application. The police said they were not aware of the gathering and could not send officials for the meeting.

    The police provided sufficient security cover for the same kind of gathering by GDI, a political group founded by the Minister of Education Nyesom Wike, same day and time in Degema Local Government.

    They (police) have always provided security for all GDI’s rallies in the state.

    Amaechi led the group back to the same venue for the rally. He called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Muhammad Abubakar, who directed that police cover be given to them. The gathering was successful.

    Amaechi lambasted Mbu for alleged display of disregard and disrespect for the office of the governor. He told the crowd of supporters at the occasion that the police presence at the event was on the directive of the IG.

    The statement by Mbu through the spokesman Ahmad K Mohammad said: “The Rivers State Police Command wishes to inform the public that as a result of increasing political tension in the state, the commissioner of police, has banned all political rallies in the state.

    “Accordingly, all public activities involving rallies of Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI), Save Rivers Movement (SRM), Rivers Leadership Advancement Foundation (RIVLEAF) and whatever other names, are hereby banned.

    “Rivers State Police Command will not, I repeat, will not provide security for any group in whatever guise. Party membership drive is allowed strictly as stipulated in Electoral Act 2010 as amended and INEC regulations.”

    The Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, said the state welcomes the ban but that there is the need for the police to clarify between what constitute political rallies and meetings of associations or persons.

    Semenitari said: “We must remember that the police cannot hide under the guise of the ban of political rallies to stop individuals and groups from having regular meetings.

    “I do not think that the constitution allows the Police under any guise to deny any Nigerian the rights to freedom of association and expression.”

     

     

  • Much ado over APC’s directive to lawmakers

    Much ado over APC’s directive to lawmakers

    Since February last year, Rivers State has been on the edge. Opposition rallies have become taboo. Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Itse Sagay believes that the state’s Commissioner of Police, Joseph Mbu, would not have been harassing opposition elements if he does not have the backing of the powers-that-be. Last Saturday’s rally by the Save Rivers Movement (SRM) held in Bori, the headquatres of Ogoniland, Rivers State was the first time in a long while that the opposition had a smooth rally. An attempt to do the rally six days earlier left many injured; and vehicles were destroyed.

    Yet, irrespective of their party leaning, Nigerians, who wish to stage a peaceful protest, must be able to do so without molestation.

    When about 13,000 teachers were supposed to receive their certificates and letters of employment at the Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt, they were dispersed by the police with tear gas. On other occasions, ex-militants disrupted peaceful rallies in the state. On an occasion, the police prevented the governor from accessing his house, insisting that he must pass through a particular road. Things became worst when Governor Rotimi Amaechi joined the APC. Senator Magnus Abe was shot at a rally and is still recuperating in London.

    It got so bad that Amaechi wrote the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and used other means to lodge complaints. But deaf ears were turned to his plea.

    The impunity in Rivers made the Senate last Wednesday ask the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar, to appear before it to give a situation report. Both arms of the National Assembly have condemned the recurring crisis in the state.

    Sagay told The Nation yesterday: “The Federal Government is obviously sponsoring what is happening in Rivers. Mbu will not be doing what he is doing if his backers are not at the top. His directive is to frustrate the Rivers governor and his masters.”

    Angered by the ‘madness’ in Rivers, the APC instructed all its members in the National Assembly to block all executive bills, including the 2014 Appropriation Bill.

    The party said: “In view of the joint resolutions of the National Assembly on Rivers State, and other constitutional breaches by the Presidency, the APC hereby directs its members in the National Assembly to block all legislative proposals, including the 2014 budget and confirmation of all nominees to military and civilian positions to public office, until the rule of law and constitutionalism is restored in Rivers State in particular, and Nigeria in general.”

    The PDP flayed the directive, accusing the APC of being anti-people. The chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Dan Nwanyanwu, also toed the PDP line, accusing the leading opposition party of wanting to foist hardship on the people. Sagay said the APC decision is just like a balance of terror. Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola yesterday said there was nothing anti-people about the directive. Fashola cited instances where PDP members in the National Assembly have blocked some legislative proposals, such as the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).

    The governor said the APC lawmakers “have found as a legitimate weapon, the withdrawal of cooperation from the executive in order to bring a belligerent executive back on to the negotiation table because as they say themselves, nobody can claim ownership of Nigeria.

    “Therefore, where appeals and letters fail, the legitimate tool is the use of the power of cooperation or the withdrawal of cooperation.

    He explained that in a democratic process “where the party in power in majority has full legislative majority, this has been a weapon that the parliament has employed”.

    Fashola said the PIB Bill had been stalled in the National Assembly for over three years as well as the refusal to approve appropriation for the Securities and Exchange Commission(SEC) saying that no voices were raised in those situations.

    “Have you asked yourselves why? That was an example of withdrawal of cooperation. The same party in the majority returned the budget and you know how the budget finally came back to the National Assembly, that was an example of withdrawal of legislative cooperation. The same party with the majority last year said it was not going to approve appropriation for the Security and Exchange Commission, a constitutional empowered and created body because they were disagreeable with its leadership.”

    Analysts believe that the fruit of APC’s threat is already being felt. They say if not for the decision of the party, the Bori rally would have been disrupted by either the police or political thugs. They faulted the anti-people label being hanged on the party, citing instances where opposition in advanced democracies have blocked legislative proposals.

    The Republicans in the U.S. blocked some moves of President Barack Obama. The Obamacare is one. The Republicans went to great extent to stop, arguing that it is all part of democracy. The Republicans saw in Obama’s Affordable Care Act the single most unifying issue. Rank-and-file Republicans, especially those who are aligned with the Tea Party movement, despised the new health-care law. They devised strategies to delay, defund or in some other way disrupt the imminent implementation of the legislation.

    In Canada’s parliamentary system, the basic function of the opposition is to oppose the government on a day-to-day basis. In this role, the opposition takes on an adversarial role. This includes routinely criticising government legislation and actions, as well as providing the Canadian public with alternative policies. In some cases, the opposition may even organise to bring down the government, by voting against key pieces of government legislation, including the annual budget .

    Mohammed said the party sought to shut down government so that the government would not shut down the country. (See box)

    He said the step would not hurt the people. “Government is about people, if there is no peace and stability, what is happening in Rivers State might escalate to other states. And if that is the case, what will be the importance of any budget? So, why are we putting the budget over and above the life of the average citizen in Rivers State? People called to tell us that our position is ante-people but we say no. Any government that does not believe in fairness, justice and equity is anti-people. Any government that cannot protect its entire people is anti-people. Any government that does not respect the rule of law is anti-people. So, what we are doing is a patriotic service to Nigeria,” he said.

    The party said once the President stops what is happening in Rivers State there will be no reason to filibuster.

  • Police detain pro-Amaechi council chiefs

    Police detain pro-Amaechi council chiefs

    Two local government chairmen loyal to Rivers State Governor Chibuike Amaechi have been detained by the police in connection with Sunday’s violence in Bori, Khana Local Government Area.

    Hoodlums prevented the rally planned by the pro-Amaechi group Save Rivers Movement (SRM) from holding.

    They attacked government officials, who came early to the venue, smashing their vehicles. Many people, including journalists, were injured.

    Detained are Chairman of Khana Local Government Council Greg Nwidam and Gokana Council boss Demua Ledee Demua (both Ogoni councils).

    Nwidam’s Press Secretary, Patrick Nwika, in a telephone interview, confirmed that his boss, who he described as non-violent and a complete gentleman, and Demua were being detained by the police.

    Nwika said the two council chairmen were invited by the police on Monday and as law-abiding citizens, they honoured the invitation, only to be asked to wait for many hours, later asked to write statements and subsequently detained.

    Gun-wielding militants invaded the All Saints’ Anglican Church, Bori, not far from the Rivers State Polytechnic, Bori-Ogoni, the traditional headquarters of Ogoni, and upturned the canopies, tables, chairs and the podium.

    Senator Magnus Abe, who is from Bera-Ogoni in Gokana council, was shot with rubber bullets by the police on January 12 at the disrupted SRM rally at the Rivers State College of Arts and Science, Rumuola, Port Harcourt. He is recuperating in a London hospital.

    The arrested Ogoni men, staging a protest over the shooting of Abe, a former Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG), were arraigned at the Magistrate’s Court, Port Harcourt on Monday, but granted bail.

    The accused persons are: Barinaaghaalo Kugbor (26), God-Gift Brienalor (24), Stephen Nuata (24), Akpobari Aminikpo (29), Sunday Dugbor (20), Dubor Kpeghasi (30), Promise Kagbor (29),Baribor Nnade (25), Kiesira Nteegha (22), Lucky Pourii (25) and Baridor Kukue (27).

    Ten of them are facing a three-court charge of conspiracy, unlawful gathering and possession of dangerous weapons. The eleventh suspect (Aminikpo) is facing a four-count charge, including illegal possession of a walkie-talkie.

    Abe condemned Sunday’s attack, lamenting that rather than implement the recommendations contained in the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report on Ogoni, the Federal Government chose to arm youths with guns, worth millions of naira, to kill fellow human beings.

    The Chairman of the SRM, Charles Aholu, yesterday in Port Harcourt, described the arrest and detention of Nwidam and Demua, as well as the 11 protesting youths, as the height of intimidation and lawlessness.

    Aholu insisted that the Mbu Joseph Mbu-led Rivers Police Command was informed about the SRM rallies in Rumuola, Port Harcourt (January 12) and Bori (January 19), for police protection through letters which were acknowledged by a police officer. He was shocked that the rallies were disrupted by the police and militants.

    The SRM chairman also called for the unconditional release of the detained chairmen and urged President Goodluck Jonathan to give moral direction to Nigeria.

    The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) also warned that Ogoni should not be turned into a political battleground.

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) declared that the police’s double standard could plunge the state into unmitigated chaos.

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Rivers chapter, through its spokesman, Pastor Jerry Needam, alleged that Amaechi was pushing Ogoni people to war, by declaring that the botched Bori rally would be repeated on Saturday.

    Rivers police spokesman Ahmad Muhammad said the command would soon release the detained council chairmen, arrested policemen and other persons, whom he said were assisting the police in their investigation.

    Abe, through his spokesperson, Honour Sirawoo, yesterday in Port Harcourt declared that the guns being used by the opponents of Amaechi, who is the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), would soon be turned against their owners.

    Abe expressed gratitude to friends, well-meaning individuals, groups and indeed Nigerians for their prayers, phone calls, solidarity messages and support.

    The ex-Rivers SSG (Abe) said: “Every gun has a lifespan of over a hundred years. Our politics may change. As today’s friends become opponents tomorrow, the guns will also change hands, but they will still remain lethal, even against their present owners.

    “Rather than encourage violence to gain relevance in politics, I will continue to arm my supporters, just like my children, with school fees, laptops, prayers and the fear of God. We have faced violence before and we emerged victorious.”

    Abe, who is also the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), sued for forgiveness and for the people to focus on set goals, noting that the law, as impossible as it might look today, would one day take its course.

    MOSOP, through its President, Legborsi Saro Pyagbara, condemned Sunday’s violence in Bori. It urged Ogoni politicians and youths to refuse the temptation of turning Ogoni into a political battle ground for political parties.

    The umbrella organisation of Ogoni people said it was of the view that the disturbances in Bori were the fallout of a cocktail of political intolerance and lack of accommodation among members of political parties in Ogoni, ahead of the 2015 elections, which it described as unnecessary at this time and highly condemnable .

    MOSOP said: “While people from other areas of Rivers State have been engaging in their political activities peacefully and without violence, it is humiliating that Ogoni politicians and youths have allowed themselves to be externally manipulated to turn against themselves in the most despicable way, that is making a mockery of the sacrifices of our heroes to unite us, for the purpose of developing our area.”

    The APC, Rivers chapter, through Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, the Senior Special Assistant, Media and Public Affairs, to the Interim Rivers Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, said it was saddened by the repeat violence at the SRM’s rally in Bori.

    APC said: “The SRM’s rally at Bori was brutally stopped by gunmen, who left some vehicles vandalised and many people injured and two innocent persons lost their lives, as reported by the PDP in Rivers State.

    “For PDP to have sent out a press statement, even while the shooting was ongoing, indicated pre-information of the attack and ascertaining the number of people they killed, simply indicated that they were part of the attack.”

    The PDP said: “Amaechi, in spite of security challenges in Bori-Ogoni, occasioned by the aborted APC rally of January 19, states that he will dare the police and the people, and lead a rally in Bori on Saturday, is obviously pushing the Ogoni people to war.

    “Rather than threatening to go ahead to hold a rally in Bori and provoke the people to another round of crisis, Amaechi should talk and for once act like a governor, by seeking ways to bring about peace in the area and the state, before he proceeds on the rally to Bori or any other part of the state.

  • Police arraign Amaechi’s aide’s orderly, 10 others

    Police arraign Amaechi’s aide’s orderly, 10 others

    •Possession of walkie-talkie alleged

    A police orderly attached to Rivers State Government House Chief of Staff, Chief Tony Okocha, was taken before a Chief Magistrate’s Court in Port Harcourt, the state capital, yesterday.

    He was charged with illegal possession of walkie-talkie at the smashed rally of the Save Rivers Movement (SRM) in Obio/Akpor on January 12.

    Akporbari Aminikpo (29), a Police Sergeant was charged alongside 10 others held by the Police for participating in the demonstration at the Eleme axis of East-West road, last Monday over the alleged shooting of Senator Magnus Abe.

    Other suspects are Barinaaghaalo Kugbor (26), God-Gift Brienalor (24), Stephen Nuata (24), Sunday Dugbor (20), Dubor Kpeghasi (30), Promise Kagbor (29),Baribor Nnade (25), Kiesira Nteegha (22), Lucky Pourii (25) and Baridor Kukue (27).

    Aminikpo and his SSS counterpart attached to Okocha were tagged spies and arrested by the police at the venue of the Rumuola rally while working with their boss.

    The SSS personnel was later released while the Police officer remained in their custody till yesterday. He was charged with illegal possession of walkie Talkie, conspiracy, among others.

    The other 10 suspects arrested for participating in the pro-Amaechi protest were slammed with a- three-count charge of conspiracy, unlawful gathering and possession of dangerous weapons.

    They pleaded not guilty to the charges and were released in the sum of N50,000 each by the trial Magistrate, Daisy Wanjoku. The Magistrate also ordered that one surety take all the accused on bail.

    The prosecutor, Sergeant Ikosi Omanoye, told the court that the accused committed the offence contrary to sections 517 A, 70, 249 (d)and 430 (1) of the Criminal Code Cap 37 Vol. II Laws of Rivers State of Nigeria, 1999.

    Hundreds of Eleme/Ogoni youths last Monday barricaded the Akpaju/Aleto bridge of the Eleme part of East-West road, to express their grievances over the alleged “assassination attempt” on Senator Abe by the Police at a disrupted rally by “Save Rivers Movement”(SRM), a non-Governmental Organisation, supporting Amaechi ‘s government.

    Senator Abe was allegedly shot with rubber bullets. He is receiving treatment at a London hospital.

    The police have however, denied the alleged shooting.

    The suspects were represented before the Magistrate by Mr. C.E. Brown, who applied for their bail.

    The case was adjourned till February 27, for hearing.

     

  • Anti-Amaechi militants ‘got N50,000, AK-47’

    Anti-Amaechi militants ‘got N50,000, AK-47’

    The rampaging militants, who disrupted the pro-Rotimi Amaechi’s Save Rivers Movement (SRM) rally on Sunday at Bori, Rivers State, each got N50,000. They were given AK-47 assault rifles by politicians, it was learnt yesterday.

    Impeccable sources in Bori, the traditional headquarters of Ogoni land and the seat of Khana Local Government Area, yesterday indicated that the militants decided to wear masks, since they were mobilised from the area by desperate anti-Amaechi politicians.

    The sources also revealed that brand new AK-47 rifles, with each costing almost N500,000 were given to the militants, who were familiar with the terrain.

    It was also gathered that the militants, mostly youths between 20 and 35 years, were assured of more “operations,” with the intention of making Rivers state ungovernable and Amaechi, who is also the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) to completely lose focus.

    An ally of Amaechi, also yesterday, raised the alarm that some ex-Niger Delta militants had concluded arrangements to commence massive protests in Port Harcourt today, to pave the way for the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers state.

    The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers council, condemned Sunday’s militants’ attack on journalists, especially those from the Channels Television, who were in Bori for the live transmission of the SRM’s rally lost valuable items.Their vehicles, including the Outside Broadcasting (OB) van, were vandalised.

    The Council of Orashi Ethnic Nationality in Rivers state also demanded an apology from Amaechi and the people of Ikwerre ethnic nationality, for recommending the Supervising Minister of Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, to President Goodluck Jonathan as a minister. Amaechi and Wike are Ikwerre.

    The NGF chairman’s ally, who is a top Rivers government official, but would not want to be named, also confirmed in an interview in Port Harcourt yesterday that the protesting ex-militants intended to lock down the Rivers state capital and besiege government offices, for President Jonathan to declare a state of emergency in the Niger Delta state and force Amaechi out.

    The Rivers governor’s associate said Wike and his supporters, in collaboration with the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mbu Joseph Mbu, were behind the plot to cause a breakdown of law and order with the use of the ex-militants, to be coordinated by some “ex-Generals” (former warlords).

    It was also learnt that part of the plot was that immediately after the declaration of the state of emergency, a retired soldier from Rivers state would be made a military administrator and the Presidency would make it difficult for Amaechi to return as governor.

    The appointment by President Jonathan, for the first time, of a Rivers indigene, Maj.-Gen. Kenneth Bipiduonyeofori Minimah, as the Chief of Army Staff, according to the source, was part of the plan by the Presidency and the leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to take over Rivers state in 2015 at all costs.

    The associate of the NGF chairman said: “The anti-Amaechi protests in Port Harcourt may escalate into fiery street battles, between the anti-Amaechi demonstrators and the teeming supporters of the Rivers Governor.”

    The NUJ, Rivers council, yesterday in a communiqué issued at the end of its emergency State Executive Council (SEC) meeting, following incessant attacks on journalists in the state, and signed by the Chairman, Opaka Dokubo, and the Secretary, Stanley Job Stanley, described the ugly situations as unacceptable.

    Rivers NUJ said: “Journalists are professionals carrying out their duties, as guaranteed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and other International Charters, of which Nigeria is a signatory. Journalists are not interested parties in the political crisis, currently rocking Rivers State.

    “We condemn the attack on journalists working for Channels Television on Sunday, January 19, 2014, at Bori, during the botched SRM rally. We recall similar attacks on journalists working for TV Continental (TVC), The Sun newspaper, Rivers State Television (RSTV), and Rhythm 93.7 FM, Port Harcourt, among others.

    “We find this situation unacceptable and urge political parties, groups and their followers to engage in their activities and leave journalists alone to practise their chosen profession. We also condemn a situation where policemen and other security agents attack journalists or even standby and watch, while journalists are being attacked by hoodlums.

    “We call on the police and other security agencies to ensure the safety of lives and property of all Nigerians in Rivers State, irrespective of their political affiliations. We also call on the police and other security agencies to ensure the protection of journalists operating in the state, in the discharge of their professional responsibilities.”

    The NUJ, Rivers council, also warned that should the incessant attacks on journalists in Rivers state continue, it would take appropriate steps, including the withdrawal of the services of its members.

    While demanding an apology from Amaechi for recommending Wike as a minister, the council of Orashi ethnic nationality, through its Director, Media and Publicity, Ndu Nwobosi, declared that the ex-Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt (Wike) was not only a cog in Rivers wheel of progress, but a selfish and mischievous person.

    The Orashi group noted that the quest for power by Wike, the Director-General of Amaechi Campaign Organisation in 2011 and two-term Chairman of Obio/Akpor LGA of Rivers state, had turned him into a vessel for the destruction of the people and hijacking of their resources.

    The council of Orashi ethnic nationality said: “We wish to advise the people of Ikwerre to request the removal of Wike as a minister, to save the Ikwerre Ethnic Nationality from further embarrassment. With the turn of events, Rivers people would have been comfortable without an Ikwerre minister.

    “Against the warning of President Goodluck Jonathan, Governor Amaechi insisted that Wike must be made a minister. The option left for the Rivers State Governor is to apologise to the Rivers people, for the trauma his action has caused.

     

  • Presidency under attack over shooting of senator

    Presidency under attack over shooting of senator

    Youths protest

    Senate calls for probe

    Tinubu, David-West, CNPP, MOSOP, others condemn police action

    There was outrage across the country yesterday over Sunday’s shooting of Senator Magnus Abe in Port Harcourt, Rivers State by policemen.

    The popular thinking was that Police Commissioner Mbu Joseph Mbu would not have ordered his men to visit violence on innocent citizens without the backing of the Presidency.

    Mbu said he ordered his men to smash a rally by the Save Rivers Movement (SRM) – a non-governmental body with affiliation to Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi and the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Tear gas canisters and rubber bullets were fired. Amaechi’s Chief of Staff Tony Okocha was hit in the leg. Abe was hit in the chest. He is believed to be receiving treatment in France, contrary to reports yesterday that he had been moved to Britain.

    The Senate called for a probe.

    Abe’s Ogoni kinsmen seized the East-West road in protest.

    APC leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Prof. Tam David-West, a Rivers indigene, and the conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) condemned the police action.

    There was no word from the police headquarters in Abuja.

    The leadership of the Senate condemned in “strong terms” Abe’s shooting by the police.

    In a statement by its spokesman, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, the Senate “deplored the escalating political violence in Rivers State”. It urged Inspector General of Police Mohammed Abubakar to probe the incident and ensure that it does not recur.

    The statement warned politicians to avoid overheating the polity and derailing the nation’s democracy.

    “The Senate particularly condemns the Sunday violence which resulted to injuries on a serving senator, Magnus Abe,” Abaribe stated.

    Abaribe said the “Senate is disturbed that what should have been a peaceful gathering turned violent, resulting in injuries”.

    He added: “On this score, the Senate associates itself with the admonition of President Goodluck Jonathan on his pronouncement to mark the Armed Forces Remembrance Day, wherein he warned that no Nigerian blood is worth spilling in the name of politics.

    “Consequently, the Senate urges the Inspector General of Police to investigate the latest incident and ensure that it never reoccurs.

    “In the same vein, the Senate advises politicians and their supporters to exercise greater restraint and avoid acts that will not only overheat the system but may harm the country’s democracy.”

    Prof. David-West, a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, expressed serious worry over the worsening political climate in Rivers State.

    The university don, who condemned the shooting, likened the political situation in the state to that of the Western Region in the First Republic which, he said, contributed to the outbreak of the civil war.

    David-West described Abe as a complete gentleman who does not deserve the treatment he got from the police.

    The former minister described the attack as “the lowest depth of indecency”.

    He said: “To attack somebody like that because of politics is the lowest depth of indecency. I am very ashamed as a Rivers man that all these are happening in my state. It is a great disservice to President Jonathan. Police are acting with impunity because they know they enjoy protection from the Presidency and the Inspector General of Police.

    “President Jonathan should remember what happened in the Western Region, which ultimately contributed to the civil war. Anybody who sits in Abuja and is happy should have a rethink. It is not good for the state. It is not good for the country. I am very worried. With what is happening, I see a very dark cloud stretching from the Niger Delta waters to the sands of the Sahara desert. The dark cloud could consume all of us if they do not stop.

    “If it does not stop, 2015 will be in jeopardy. We have never had politics this bad in Nigeria. There is politics of bitterness, ethnic problems and so.

    “Senator Abe is a very gentle man. He belongs to an ethnic group. By doing this, police and their backers are stoking the fire of trouble. They should stop,” he said.

    The Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) promised to hold President Goodluck Jonathan responsible for the crisis in Rivers – if he does not intervene.

    The umbrella body of opposition parties was angry over the shooting of Abe and others: “in the presence of CP Mbu at a peaceful rally organised by the All Progressives Congress affiliate, Save Rivers Movement in Rivers State.”

    Jonathan, CNPP said, should as a matter of urgency order the Inspector General of Police Mohammed Abubakar to transfer Mbu out of Rivers.

    A statement in Abuja by the National Publicity Secretary, Osita Okechukwu, said: “Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) calls on President Goodluck Jonathan to as a matter of urgent national importance to save our democracy by nipping in the bud the gathering storm in Rivers State. The first step is to post out of Rivers State Commissioner of Police Joseph Mbu, before it is too late.

    “For us, this is against police professional ethics and best practices, which means that CP Mbu had taken side, and, unfortunately, descended partially into the political arena; thereby breaching the law and enforcing a non-existing Police Permit Order.

    “CNPP wishes to remind the Nigeria Police Force that the Police Permit Order had been repealed by the Appeal Court, as an obnoxious colonial order, following a suit filed by the CNPP.

    “Accordingly, groups, associations and political parties are under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria guaranteed freedom of association and assemblage; hence the duty of the police is to protect all and not to side any group.

    “We challenge President Jonathan to direct the Inspector General of the Police to post CP Joseph Mbu out of Rivers State; failing which we shall hold Mr President responsible for the do-or-die politics unfolding in Rivers State.”

  • Rivers under siege, say Pro-Amaechi group, APC, MOSOP

    Rivers under siege, say Pro-Amaechi group, APC, MOSOP

    The pro-Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s Save Rivers Movement (SRM), the Rivers chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni Peoples (MOSOP) have described Rivers Commissioner of Police Mbu Joseph Mbu, as a liar.

    According to them, the state is under siege.

    SRM, APC and MOSOP said yesterday that Mbu did not say the truth on Sunday’s police shooting of Senator Magnus Abe.

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Rivers chapter, however, accused Amaechi and his allies of desperation.

    The Chairman of the SRM, Aholu Charles, told reporters in Port Harcourt that there was no official communication to hold the group’s Obio/Akpor Local Government’s inauguration at the Rivers State College of Arts and Science, which was disrupted by the police.

    The SRM said: “What the police did yesterday (on Sunday) was callous, an affront to the lofty guarantees provided by Chapter 4 of the constitution of Nigeria. It is barbaric; it is simply an attempt to replace democracy with autocracy. It is simply an attempt to subvert the rights of Nigerians and an attempt to undermine the Rivers man.

    “Precisely on the 7th of January, 2014, the SRM notified the police authorities and we have a copy of that notification, of our rally in Obio/Akpor and Khana local government areas and it is stamped received.

    “The assertion by the CP that there was no form of communication of our programme is not only false; it is an attempt to stop us from legitimately pursuing our objectives, as provided under the Constitution of the SRM and enjoying our rights as guaranteed by the Constitution of Nigeria.

    “We want to state that the issue of police permit has been settled. It is not an issue that is in dispute. We do not need the permission of the police to hold rallies. What we did was to notify the police of our activities, so that they could provide us with security. We held our rally in Eleme and we notified them. The crime of the notification is such that they (police) did not respond.

    “There is no official letter from the police to say you can hold your rallies, you cannot hold your rallies. All they did was to mobilise their men to the venue of the event and disrupt the rally. So, that assertion cannot hold water.”

    MOSOP, through its President, Legborsi Saro Pyagbara, said: “We condemn, in strong terms, the highhandedness and excessive use of force by the police on members of the SRM, which led to the shooting of the Senator representing Rivers Southeast Senatorial District, Senator Magnus Abe, an Ogoni.

    “We had hoped that politics in this dispensation will be played with civility, decency and devoid of political violence. The current level of political intolerance in the country and in Rivers State, in particular, is deeply troubling and condemnable.

    “Recognising that the Ogoni people made so much sacrifice for democracy, which is being enjoyed in the country today and for which we have not benefited commensurably, we deplore the situation where any Ogoniman would become the first victim to be sacrificed on the altar of political acrimony or political violence in Rivers State.

    “We consider the action of the police as unprofessional, insensitive and an unfortunate demonstration of the growing regime of impunity in the country, which we must all rise up to tame, if democracy must survive. No matter what might have happened, the SRM or Senator Abe did not merit such level of cruelty.

    “Never again shall we allow the blood of any Ogoni person, irrespective of political persuasions, political parties or affiliations, to be spilled needlessly in the name of politics.”

    The umbrella organisation of all Ogoni people also demanded that the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar, and the Federal Government should urgently probe the shooting, with a view to bringing the perpetrators to justice

    MOSOP called on Ogoni youths to remain calm.

    The APC, through its Interim Rivers Chairman, Chief Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, accused Mbu of lying, “in his desperation to minimize the public outrage that had rightly trailed his unfortunate actions”.

    The main opposition party said: “We find it necessary to correct the wrong account of events given by CP Mbu, including his claim that we applied for police permit for most of our rallies, but failed to do so for the Obio/Akpor rally. This is a blatant lie.

    “We have never applied for police permit for any of our rallies, but for police protection. We applied for police protection for the Obio/Akpor rally, but instead of granting our request, CP Mbu sent his men to disrupt the rally and kill our people, apparently on the orders of his sponsors in Abuja.

    “We are not surprised. Since CP Mbu is a key member of the PDP, which has been behaving like a wounded lion, since losing the strategic state of Rivers. Mbu does not deserve the uniform and rank he is wearing. He has demonstrated his crass ignorance of the relevant sections of the Constitution that give Nigerians the power to associate freely, without any need for police permit. He should hide his face in shame.

    “CP Mbu is a security risk in Rivers State. He is an agent of destabilisation. Since the IGP can no longer call him to order, we hereby plead with the National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd.), to intervene and ensure CP Mbu’s redeployment. He should leave our State, as his presence in Rivers portends evil.

    “We urge CP Mbu and his sponsors to pray and fast seriously that Senator Magnus Abe gets better, as we cannot predict what will happen, if he loses his life by the misguided stand of CP Mbu, the politician.”

    The APC said if the Sunday’s show of shame by the police was a test run on what to expect during the 2015 general elections, Nigeria is in danger in the hands of politicians so desperate to use the police to intimidate Nigerians.

    The PDP, through the Special Adviser to the Chairman on Media, Pastor Jerry Needam, however, noted that the attack on some sections of the Gokana Local Government (Ogoni) council secretariat yesterday by angry youths, vindicated its earlier position that the shooting of Abe was dramatised and full of fictions.

    It said: “We note with bitterness, the level of desperation on the side of Governor Amaechi and his allies, which led them to hire thugs to cause obstructions to movement and activities along the Ogoni axis of the East-West Road early today (yesterday), in a quest to draw attention to the alleged shooting of the Senator (Abe) yesterday (on Sunday) in Port Harcourt.”

  • Amaechi: APC’ll protect Rivers people’s interests

    Amaechi: APC’ll protect Rivers people’s interests

    Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi has assured that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will protect the interests of the people.

    Amaechi, who is also the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), spoke at the inauguration of the Eleme Local Government chapter of a pressure group, the Save Rivers Movement (SRM), at the playground of the Community Secondary School, Alode-Eleme.

    The event was also used for the defection of teeming Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members in the area to the APC.

    The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Tele Ikuru, noted that his defection to the main opposition party was to protest the refusal of the leadership of the PDP to protect the interests of Rivers people.

    Amaechi said: “We will continue to move Rivers State forward. The people of Rivers State have a responsibility to protect themselves from outsiders and the vehicle to protect ourselves is the APC.

    “As long as all of you are behind us, we will continue to do things that will bring prosperity to the state and make the people happy.”

    The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), Magnus Ngei Abe, blamed the Presidency for the violation of the Constitution, especially the refusal of the Rivers Police Commissioner Mbu Joseph Mbu to take lawful directives from the governor, as stipulated in the constitution.

    Abe said: “If you look at the Constitution of Nigeria, Section 215 says the commissioner of police of a state shall obey all lawful directives of the governor of the state. The problem in Rivers State is that, that section of the constitution is being perverted, subverted and violated by the people who are supposed to uphold it.

    “Nobody should be calling the name of any minister, because no minister is seconded to Rivers State. No minister, even the Minister of Police Affairs, is on oath to upturn the Constitution of Nigeria.

    “We know those who are upturning the Constitution of this country. We know those who are saying the Constitution should not be respected and should not be obeyed. They are the ones causing trouble in Rivers State.”

    The senator also decried the refusal of the police to allow members of the Rivers House of Assembly to enter their offices.

    He urged Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Abubakar to direct Mbu to obey the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on the matter and to also take lawful directives from the governor.

    Abe, who represents Rivers Southeast in the National Assembly, said: “As we speak, 25 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have been trying to go to the House, but the police, without any authorisation from the governor, are refusing them entry and access to the Assembly.

    “They (police) are saying they have not received a copy of the court judgment that said the Rivers State House of Assembly should be opened. Did they receive any court order before locking the Assembly complex?”

    Abe, a former Secretary to the Rivers State Government, also urged the IGP to end the Rivers political crisis and allow the Assembly to resume, in the interest of the Rivers people.

    The senator advised the IGP to direct Mbu to take lawful directives from the governor to ensure peace.

    The Interim Chairman of the APC in Rivers State, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, assured that the party would recover all the oil wells belonging to the state, which were ceded to neighbouring states, when it assumes power in 2015.

    The event was also attended by some members of House of Representatives supporting Amaechi. They included Chief Andrew Uchendu, Asita O. Asita; a former member of House of Representatives, Igo Aguma and the Chairman of Eleme Local Government Area, Oji Ngofa.