Amaechi Urges Unity Among Kalabaris

Government House last week was a bit tensed following
the alleged shooting of Senator Magnus Abe and the disruption of a Save Rivers Movement rally in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area by the Nigeria police.
Senator Abe who was flown out of the country on Sunday shortly after the incident was feared to have been hit by objects on the chest suspected to be rubber bullets allegedly shot by men of the police, at the premises of the Rivers State College of Arts and Science where the rally was held.
On Monday, the leadership of the Save Rivers Movement (SRM) briefed newsmen in Port Harcourt. President of the group Mr. Charles Ahorlu told reporters that SRM had obtained a police permit since January 7th ahead of their rallies in Obio/Akpor and Khana Local Government Areas.
Describing police action as barbaric, the SRM chairman disclosed that already, a Senator representing South-East Senatorial District, Magnus Abe and some of its members were still missing.
As a non-governmental organisation, Ahorlu maintained that SRM has remained glued to its vision of fostering good governance, transparency and accountability and has since  commenced its sensitisation campaigns and remained law abiding with no history of violating law and order as painted by the police.
Meanwhile, a human rights activist and attorney to the Save Rivers Movement, Barrister Ken Atsuete has warned against retaining Rivers State Police Commissioner, Mbu Joseph Mbu in the state.
He revealed that the body is considering commencing content proceedings against the police for failing to comply with a ruling of a Court of Appeal on Public Order Act.
In the same vein, Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General of Rivers State, Mr. Worgu Boms condemned police action on Sunday. He told newsmen in a press chat at his office in Port Harcourt that the Public Order Act has been voided by the courts.
He also said the police commissioner is trying to usurp the powers of the governor who is the only person empowered by the law to implement the Act.
Mr. Boms argued that every citizen was entitled to freedom of association and assembly, adding that the police does not have the right to disrupt a peaceful gathering of law abiding citizens. It is not enough to condemn the IGP, Police service commission but let them tell the world the order in which they acted upon”.
On Tuesday last week, the Senate Committee on Police visited Rivers State to obtain a first hand information on the abated SRM rally in the state during which Senator Abe was said to have been shot.
Led by its chairman, Paulinus Nwagwu, who was accompanied by a member of the committee, Senator Hadi Serika, the duo visited Governor Amaechi and later interviewed Chief of Staff Government House, Sir Tony Okocha.
Nwagwu later said, “We are on fact finding mission to find out exactly what happened, and what transpired between politicians and security agents. When we finish with our reports the public will hear from the senate”.
On Wednesday, Governor Chibuike Amaechi was at hand at the Isaac Boro Park to perform the yearly wreathe laying ceremony as part of activities to end the Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebrations.
Shortly after the ceremony, the governor hosted members of the Nigerian legion in Government House, where he commended them for their sacrifice and support to government. He promised the sum of N2.5 million as welfare support for widows of ex-service men. He also promised to look into their request for the building of a permanent secretariat complex.
On Friday, the governor played host to Kalabari indigenes from the Oceanic communities of Akuku-Toru Local Government Area. They include those from Abissa, Elem-Sangama Soku, Abissa and Idama. They were led by Prof. Tam David- West.
Amaechi commended them for their steadfastness, but however, deplored the discordant tunes in which the Kalabaris have spoken as regards the ceded Soku oil wells to Bayelsa State, “I expect to see patriotism on the side of the people”.

He believed that as a governor he would not keep silent over the matter as that would amount to betrayal. Amaechi maintained that he is the governor of Rivers State. He therefore called to vote out the PDP warning that, “If the PDP comes back for a second term then the oil well is finally gone”.
On the same Friday, members of the Rivers caucus in the National Assembly deplored police defiance and continuous disruption of rallies by the Save Rivers Movement (SRM).
The Rivers National Assembly members include Senator Wilson Ake, Honourable Asita, Hon. Ogbonna Nwuke, Chief Andrew-Uchendu, Hon. Sokonte Davies, and Hon. Poronen representing-Khana and Gokana Federal constituency.
They called on the police to provide security for SRM rally at Kana on Sunday, Senator Ake disclosed that already to body has written to the police, noting that members of the National Assembly are members of the body and will therefore attend the rally as part of inauguration activities.