Tension in Rivers
•As anti-Amaechi protesters storm Assembly, LG secretariat … PDP condemns call for CP’s removal
Anti-Governor Rotimi Amaechi protesters yesterday barricaded Rumuodumaya end of Ikwerre Road, the secretariat of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area in Rivers State, causing traffic gridlock, which lasted for several hours.
The protesters, who were believed to be supporters of a minister disrupted activities in Abio/Akpor area, while the council workers were forced to go back home, as they were denied entry into the secretariat, by some-stern-looking security men, who sealed off the area in seven police vans.
Since last Friday’s invasion and sealing-off of the secretariat, three police vehicles had been permanently stationed at its entrance, with some law enforcement agents keeping vigil.
But by yesterday, there was more presence of policemen, operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS), Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and Immigration officers at the gate, led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Rumuodumaya.
Daily Sun gathered that the presence of securitymen was to prevent anybody, including the chairman of the caretaker committee, Chikaodi Dike and his members, from gaining access to the secretariat, and to monitor the protesters.
The state government had raised the alarm yesterday that there was a plot to unleash mayhem on the people of Obio/Akpor.
A government statement, which was issued Sunday night and signed by one Mr. Chikaodi Dike, read in part: “We can now authoritatively reveal to Rivers people that the same Abuja forces which orchestrated the barricading of our council premises by the police are planning to storm the same council office on Monday, May 6, 2013 with a different shade of hoodlums and then unleash violence on the good people of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area. Their plan is to start from outside the council secretariat.’’
The protesters who arrived at the secretariat as early as 6 am, were carrying placards with inscriptions. Some of the placards read: “Anarchy, stop using Rivers money to fund northern allies for 2015” , “Anarchy, you must respect court judgment” and “Anarchy must go, he is Yoruba man.’’ Some of the protesters told Daily Sun that they wanted the Chairman of Obio/Akpor, Timothy Nisirm, who was suspended by the House of Assembly, over allegation of misappropriation of funds, be reinstated.
According to one of the protesters, Chief Odiari Princewill, the action was in solidarity with Nsirim. According to him, the protest would be extended to Etche Local Government Area today.
Reacting to the allegation that the protest was intended to cause mayhem, the state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Felix Obuah, said the party was not behind the action. He said the protest was organized by indigenes of Obio/Akpor, who were protesting the removal of Nsirim whom they elected. He also condemned the call by the Speaker Otelemaba Dan Amachree, for the removal of the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Mbu Joseph Mbu. He described the call as baseless, malicious, reckless and a demonstration of legislative rascality. He warned the Speaker to stop raising false alarm and spreading rumours of impeachment of the governor. He said that the new PDP leadership is all-embracing, adding that he came to build and not to destroy.
Meanwhile, five anti-Governor Chibuike Amaechi lawmakers have raised the alarm over plans by the 27 suspended lawmakers to impeach them.
Two of the members, Michael Chinda, representing Obio /Akpor Constituency II and Evans Bipi, representing Ogu-Bolo Constituency, told reporters at the Assembly complex yesterday, that they were there for a scheduled sitting today(yesterday), but were surprised that the other 27 members were absent. Recall that the House Leader, Chidi Lloyd, had informed journalists that the Assembly would reconvene yesterday.
They alleged that the aborted sitting was a plot to suspend them from the House.
However, the Special Assistant to Speaker on Media, Jim Opiki, told reporters that the Assembly proceedings were suspended for security reasons.
He said the legislature could not sit as there were hints of invasion of the Assembly by some thugs.
Meanwhile, over 5,000 youths under the aegis of Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI) led by Comrade Kinikanwo Amadi, also protested at the Assembly complex over the suspension of Nsirim, his Vice and 17 councillors by the House.
The placards-carrying protesters, who passed a vote of no confidence on the lawmakers, demanded reinstatement of the council officials.
The protesters said they no longer want the sacked Chief Godspower Ake and his team again, adding that the governor should equally go with them, as they had lost confidence in him.
Also, a High Court sitting in Port Harcourt yesterday, adjourned till May 23, hearing on the application by the PDP’s lawyer, Ken Njemanze(SAN), challenging the jurisdiction of the court, to hear the Assembly’s application.
Justice Henry S. Aprioku adjourned the matter after hearing from the counsel saying that the new date would be for arguing out the facts on jurisdiction.
The Assembly’s lawyer (Claimants), Emenike Ebete, who spoke to journalists later, said the court adjourned to enable him reply to the motion filed by the PDP.
He said they would argue on the motion of jurisdiction raised by his learned colleague.
Daily Sun gathered that defence counsel filed an application challenging the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the matter and asked the court to strike out the matter.
Source: The Sun
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