Okrika Shootings: Parker Defends Semenitari, Berates Protesting Women

The Rivers State Commis
sioner for Health, Dr. Sampson Parker, has debunked the allegation that the comments by the State Commissioner for Information, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari against the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, ignited the sporadic gunshots that killed a police officer at the All Progressives congress (APC) governorship rally last month in Okrika.
Dr. Parker, while reacting to the allegations by some women from Okrika suspected to be loyalists of the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, during their march protest in Okrika, described the allegation as baseless and lacking knowledge about the incident in Okrika.
He said, Mrs Semenitari did not make any embarrassing comments against the First Lady, at the APC rally, explaining that the rally was first rocked with explosion and gunshots even before any solidarity speech could be made.
According to him, no person, including Mrs Ibim Semenitari, made any inflammable comments against the First Lady or any opposition leaders at the rally.
He queried that, supposed such comment was made against the First Lady, could shooting and violence be used as the lawful means to express grievances in a civilized area like Rivers State.
Dr. Parker called on the security agents to arrest the protesting women whom he said might have full knowledge of the shooting and those behind it.
The Health Commissioner, who is also from Okrika alleged that the disruption of the APC rally in Okrika was intentionally sponsored and implemented by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to weaken the APC popularity in the area, Dr. Parker asked the security operatives to hold the protesting women responsible should anything happen to Mrs Ibim Semenitari or any other APC leader in Okrika.
It would be recalled that, some Okrika women, suspected to be members of the P.D.P and Dame Patience Jonathan loyalists staged a protest over the weekend in Okrika, accusing Mrs Semenitari of igniting the shooting and bombing of APC rally that killed a police officer in Okrika, with her comments.
The women also accused Mrs Semenitari of calling the First Lady a barren woman and an illiterate who cannot speak good English.

Enoch Epelle

Chairman, Caretaker Committee, Etche LGA, Hon Charles Anyanwu (left) and some members of his committee answering questions from lawmakers during the screening at the floor of Rivers State House of Assembly in Port Harcourt, recently. Photo: Chris Monyanaga