Apostles Of Democracy

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week after Nigerians
were treated to a show of shame by Rivers lawmakers on the hallowed chambers of the Rivers State House of Assembly, four Northern governors – Alhaji Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu of Niger State, Alhaj Sule Lamido of Jigawa State, Alhaji Rabiu Kwakwanso of Kano State and Alhaji Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State, came to Port Harcourt on a visit to their embattled colleague and chairman of Nigerian Governors Forum, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.

Angered by the visit of these senior citizens whose freedom of movement is guaranteed by the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria, supporters of minister of state for Education, Chief Nyesom Wike under the aegis of Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI) reportedly attacked the convoy of Governor Amaechi and his visitors at the Port Harcourt International Airport, with stones and clubs, smashing the windshields of some of the vehicles, including the coaster bus in which commissioners rode. A four-litre jerry can containing liquid substance suspected to be acid was also found.

However, Governor Amaechi’s visitors were not deterred by the antics of anti-Amaechi forces that masterminded the assemblage of hoodlums to disrupt their visit. Of course, these governors are masters of political chess game as clearly demonstrated during the Nigerian Governors Forum election and so, they refused to be cowed by those jesters who at best could pass as Shakespearean painted devils.

In an interview published in the Nation Newspaper of July 17, 2013, the Secretary-General of GDI, Samuel Nwanosike said, “it was a peaceful protest, with Wike’s supporters singing and dancing to show that they were not happy with the governors’ visit.

“The four governors should leave Rivers State resources alone. We are tired of their presence. They should quickly return to the North and face Boko Haram suicide bombers.

“Oni was at the airport while we were protesting and he did a good job as a professional Police Officer. He said everybody had the right to protest, but we should not block the road”.

Interestingly, the four Northern governors after their meeting with the NGF chairman that lasted for three hours issued a statement that was made available to newsmen.

“We have come to visit our colleague and brother, the Governor of Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, CON, Chairman, Nigerian Governors Forum.

“The visit is to ascertain for ourselves some of the things we have read in the newspapers, seen on television and heard on radio which are threats to peace, security and democracy.

“We are pleased to notice the peaceful atmosphere in town and that people in the state are going about their normal business and that the governor and the government are in charge. This is especially reassuring as opposed to the organized protest by a handful of persons at the Port Harcourt Airport when we arrived.

“Having interacted with our colleague and other persons, we are shocked at the role of the Police in Rivers State and condemn its clear partisanship in the show of shame that took place at the Rivers State House of Assembly.

“As the Chief Executives of our states who have sworn to protect lives and property in our various states, we are particularly troubled by the development in Rivers State.

“We commend the House of Representatives for their proactive leadership in the crisis and appreciate the Senate Committee’s thoroughness in addressing the matter.

“We wish to call on the Inspector-General of Police to hearken to the voice of reason and immediately redeploy and discipline Commissioner Mbu.

“His actions smack of unprofessionalism and political partisanship which is unbecoming of his office.

“With the way the Police are being used and abused and with officers like Mbu in the office, we do not see the need for state governments to fund an antagonistic police and may be forced to reconsider our position on the financial contribution of the states towards the funding of the Police.

“Arising from the actions of the Police and Mr. Joseph Mbu in Rivers State, the call for State Police as a constitutional provision has become a necessity.

“We note that the events in Rivers State have again brought to the fore the question of true federalism and the need for institutions derived from constitutions to be allowed to function without undue interference.

As federating units, we must be allowed the space to guarantee our people sustainable development as provided by the constitution.

“We acknowledge the great work Governor Amaechi and his team are doing in Rivers State and commend his maturity and calm even in the face of apparent persecution.

“We join well-meaning Nigerians to call on the political actors to diffuse tension and stop all actions capable of derailing our nascent democracy.

“We must all work together to build one united and indivisible nation and strengthen our democracy”, the statement said.

It was indeed disheartening that the hoodlums did not ascertain the purpose of the governors’ visit before embarking on the ill-conceived mission. You would agree with me that this country would have been on fire if these governors were injured in the mob attack in Port Harcourt. Nwanosike said it was a peaceful protest. Certainly, that protest was odious and otiose. Again, we had witnessed severally in this country where so-called peaceful protests turned out to be violent. How would anyone be cocksure that the protesters would abide by the rules of engagement? Our politicians must exercise caution to forestall crisis.

In furtherance of their commitment to save the nation’s fledgling democracy from imminent collapse and barely a week after their visit to Governor Amaechi in Port Harcourt, the Northern governors, including, Alhaji Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State decided to consult some notable Nigerians to chart the way forward.

Recently, the governors met with former Heads of State, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida and Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar in their home-states on this laudable mission.

Speaking at the end of the meeting in Niger State, Gen. Babangida in an interview with newsmen said:

“I want to commend the governors and some of their colleagues. I was impressed because they have seen the problems of the country as our problems and because they have taken the right steps to consult widely in trying to find solution to these problems.

“These governors are real patriots and I am very happy and I told them so”.

What’s more! These are patriots whose mission is to ensure that the nation’s democracy is not truncated for whatever reason. Please be guided.

Reward Akwu