Group blasts Wike over anti-Amaechi protest

Posted by African Examiner News, Press Releases Friday, May 24th, 2013

RIVERS COALITION FOR PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT

NO 14 OHIADA ABAMINI RUMUIGBO
email : riverscoalition@yahoo.com

Early on Tuesday May 22, 2013, Rivers people woke up to the rude
shock of the miscreants and criminals in the guise of ex-militants
parading the streets of Port Harcourt. The sad spectacle was a
reminder of the inglorious days when Rivers people were held
hostage by the guns of thieves, kidnappers and murderers.

The hired crowd was made up of hoodlums and criminals belonging
to the notorious quartet of Tom Ateke, Asari Dokubo, Soboma
Jackreece (popularly known as Egberi Papa) and Solomon Ndigbara
(a wanted criminal known as Osama Bin Laden, from Yeghe
community who attacked Governor Amaechi’s helicopter during the
Ogoni day celebration in 2011). Curiously, the hoodlums arrived at
the government house gate right after the departure of the AIG Zone
6, Calabar and his team.

For three hours or more, they barricaded the gates of the Rivers
State government house. Curiously, the miscreants were escorted
with cooling vans that supplied food and drinks as they rampaged.
The protesters also boasted that they are ready for a confrontation
with the police and the military. We commend the fact that Governor
Amaechi and the Government House security personnel exercised
restraint and did not as much as lift a finger against the protesters.

Only last week, the Minister of State of Education, Nyesom Ezebunwo
Wike, had donated his salary for the next six months to the
foundation of General Tompolo, an action that was posted on the
web site of the organization clearly. We worry that this may be a
confirmation of the renewal of official sponsorship of criminality and
impunity using public funds.

We are conscious of the attempt by Mr. Wike and other highly placed
individuals and politicians to foment trouble and create a semblance
of disorder in Rivers State. Yesterday four coaster buses loaded with
unknown persons came into Rivers State from Akwa Ibom state, for
the continuation of the militants’ protest. Buses have also arrived into
the state from neighboring Bayelsa carrying militants mobilized by
Soboma Jackreece.

Rivers people are worried that such persons will spare no cost and
consider nothing sacred in their quest for power. We want to remind
Nigeria that it was not too long ago when Rivers State was the fault
line of the Niger Delta militancy crises. At a time there was total
lawlessness and the state was dangerous as a result of the activities
of these same people. Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi’s restored
peace and security by putting these hoodlums out of business in the
state. This he did with the active support of previous security agency
heads especially the police. Yesterday, Solomon Ndigbara confessed
as much when he announced to the crowd that Governor Amaechi
had declared him a wanted man and a criminal. Now, these same
criminals have been given free passage back into Port Harcourt with
the active support of people like Mr. Wike and the armed guidance of
the police under Commissioner Mbu.

Yesterday’s incidence has made it obvious that the time has come for
Rivers people to ask questions about their security from Mr. Wike
and his sponsors. The time has come for the IG of police to explain to
Nigerians why he should insist on keeping a Commissioner of police
who is openly partisan in the state.

We would like to draw the attention of the President and Commander
in Chief, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to this worrisome
resurrection of militancy and criminality and hope that both he and
Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, the law enforcement agents and
security persons are aware of the burden of history and will do their
utmost to ensure that no one jeopardizes the peace and security of
our dear state and country. We expect that their oath of office which
places on them the responsibility to guarantee our security will
compel them to investigate the embarrassing spectacle that took
place in Port Harcourt yesterday and compel them to not only notice
this ill wind that blows no one any good but to take urgent and
appropriate action.

ENGR ICHEGBO WOBIHELE HON DAEREBO AWOYESUKU
Chairman Secretary