‘Shun Political Violence In Rivers’

Ekere Ikwerre, a non-partisan political pressure group has again appealed to politicians in Rivers State to shun violence and resolve their political differences amicably in the interest of the State.
The national president of the group, Engr. Dacoster Orlu-Akwu, in a statement issued in Port Harcourt expressed displeasure over the fracas that erupted in the State House of Assembly, describing it as embarrassing and unacceptable.
“In a democracy, people are free to bicker and disagree, but the interest of the State should be paramount. Therefore, they should ensure that their utterances and actions do not jeopardise the security of lives and property”, he said.
He wondered why the politicians would resort to violence while their matters were pending in the courts of law and urged them to follow legal process in addressing their grievances.
Engr. Orlu-Akwu, a former Commissioner for Works and Transport in Rivers State, advised youths in the State not to allow themselves to be used as agents of destabilisation and destruction, and stressed the need for peace.
He reiterated the importance of the State to economic well-being of the nation and enjoined security agencies to be alive to their responsibilities so as to prevent the crisis from escalating and spreading to other parts of the State.