GOVERNOR Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State, has expressed worries with the alleged harassment, yesterday by the Police of some Rivers citizens, who were on their way to pay him a solidarity visit.
The governor at Government House, Port Harcourt, when he received the people on solidarity visit from Orashi region, said some persons had reduced Rivers State to a Police state.
He said he will continue to fight for the rights of the people of the state, adding that he would soon lead hundreds of Rivers people on a street protest, to challenge the recent ban of such action by the state Police Commissioner.
According to him, protest is part of the fundamental human rights of Nigerians, enshrined in the constitution, hence it cannot be outlawed by the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Joseph Mbu.
The governor said: "The state Commissioner of Police cannot ban protest, when it is your fundamental rights and it is enshrined in the constitution. They can bring so many Mbu but promise me that you will resist them the way you did today (yesterday). We will take a date to demonstrate. I had told the Commissioner of Police to shoot me. I will be in front, I will lead the march with you my people to the Secretary to the State Government, who will receive our protest letter."
Amaechi said the people have a right to express their views legitimately on any issue, including attacking his government, if he was not performing. He assured that he would continue to utilise the funds of the state for the development of the area.
Thanking the people of Orashi region for the solidarity visit, the governor said his administration would construct a bridge connecting Abua and Agbandere. He said he will also construct a road between Abua-Odua.
Some of those who spoke earlier for the people, lauded the success of the Amaechi administration in several areas. They also pledged the support of Orashi people to the government. They appealed for federal presence in Orashi region.
Orashi region is made up of Ahoada West, Ahoada East, Ogba Egbema Ndoni and Abua-Odua Local Government Areas.
In a chat later with newsmen, Chairmen of the four local governments alleged that the Police made effort to stop people of their various councils from coming to Port Harcourt for the solidarity visit.
Chairman Ahoada West council, Mr Awori Miller and his Ogba Egbema Ndoni counterpart, Mr Austin Ahiamadum, said some indigenes of their councils, who were coming for the visit were almost turned back by the Police at Rumuji.
"Our people had to insist that it was their right to come on the solidarity visit," they said.
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