The Rivers State Government has alleged that Governor Rotimi Amaechi was the target of what it described as “senseless” shooting of Magnus Abe, the Senator representing Rivers south east who was said to have been shot by the Police on Sunday.
Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, Commissioner of Information and Communications in Rivers in a statement, described as worrisome the attack on members of the Save Rivers Movement, a non-governmental association during a rally in Port Harcourt.
She said the attack and the shooting of Abe, a Senator was a clear demonstration of the level the ruling Poeples Democratic Party (PDP) could go to silence oppistion.
“The Rivers State government has it on good authority that Senator Abe took the bullet originally meant for Governor Chibuike Amaechi who was billed to be present at the event.
“This is disconcerting especially in the light of recent revelations that the presidency may be training snipers ahead of the 2015 elections and that Governor Amaechi is top on the list of those to be eliminated,” Semenitari stated.
According to her, “Today Sunday January 12, 2014, Rivers State witnessed another senseless attack on innocent citizens in a continuous rape of democracy by the Joseph Mbu led Rivers State police command.
“Today’s attack on members of the Save Rivers Movement, a non-governmental association at the College of Arts and Science, Rumuola, Port Harcourt Rivers State and especially the unprovoked shooting of Senator Magnus Ngei Abe, the senator representing Rivers South East senatorial district is cause for worry and an indication of the length that the PDP is willing to go to silence opposing views.
The Commissioner therefore, called on the federal government to instruct its agencies to “respect the rules of democratic engagement in their misguided fight against the people of Rivers State and especially save our nation from the unnecessary chaos into which federal agents like Mbu want to plunge it ahead of the 2015 elections.
“The Rivers State Government therefore reiterates its call for the re deployment of CP Mbu from Rivers State before he turns the state into a graveyard because of his intolerance and unprofessional behaviour.
“The Government of Rivers State understands that Mr. Mbu would prefer to be a “policetician” rather than a responsible police officer but would request that he attempts to at least protect the lives and properties of the poor Rivers taxpayers who pay his salary, and who are the real employers of the officers and men of the Rivers State police command.
“The Rivers State Government condemns the disruption of the Save Rivers Movement rally especially since the disruption is selective seeing that the police do not only allow members of the PDP Grass root Democratic Initiative (GDI) to hold rallies but indeed provides them with protection.
“The Rivers State government believes in the freedom of association and freedom of expression guaranteed to all Nigerians by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and wishes to ask the Inspector General of Police, the Chairman Police Service commission, the Chairman Nigeria Human Rights Commission and Mr. President on whose table the buck ends as Commander in Chief and the Nation’s Number One citizen to call Mr. Mbu to order and bring an end to this impunity in Rivers State, and restore the hope of Rivers people that they have not been marked as enemies and lamb for slaughter in their own country”.
Semenitari however, reassured the Rivers people of the state government’s commitment to “fight on the side of the people and on the side of truth”, urging them to remain law abiding “as we promise to continue to use all legitimate and legal means to guarantee the safety of our people and their rights to exist in Nigeria”.
