That Amaechi Detention

The repeated acts of embarrass
ment and clear violation of the
rights of the Governor of Rivers State Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi by security agents within Nigeria have become un-acceptable. It has become rather obvious that the life of the Governor is under threat.
It is on record that Gov Amaechi had severally feared for his life and accused the military of being used to harass his person. On several occasions, his movements have been checked and his aircraft converging him grounded for no clear justifiable reasons.
Only last week, the Rivers State Governor was ambushed by security operatives in Ekiti State on his way to attend the final rally of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the just concluded Governorship Election in Ekiti State.
In that ugly incident, Amaechi was harassed, detained and threatened by a troop of soldiers who claimed to be acting on “orders from above”. The Governor who was turned back after being held hostage for more than an hour got back to Akure Airport only to discover that a chartered plane with which he had flown from Port Harcourt had been grounded.
Not too long before the Akure incident, the Governor’s chartered aircraft was also grounded in Kano and he was subjected to some avoidable danger. This can no longer hide under the assumption of “political differences”. The life of the Governor of the Rivers people is under threat.
While all well-meaning Nigerians and indeed the Rivers people expected an explanation for these ignoble acts against a serving governor, the military high command came up with a statement that tended to deny issuing orders to detain Gov Amaechi in Ekiti State. This makes the whole episode even more dangerous because if the Governor and his entourage had suffered any harm, this is not the report that anyone would believe.
The Tide wishes to put on record that Nigeria is still a democratic state, where the rights of persons, especially a Governor should not be invaded with impunity. Nigeria should not be turned to a Police state by any guise or temptation. Beyond the threat to his personal safety, what is happening amounts to disrespect of the people of Rivers State who he represents at all levels.
We insist that the military high command and indeed the Federal Government still owe the good people of Rivers State and Nigerians an explanation as to what the problem actually is that Gov Amaechi cannot be allowed to move freely in his own country.
While we call for an investigation into the Ekiti State saga, we demand that the Federal Government should call to order, its security operatives to avoid a repeat of such display of high level of impunity against the Governor.