Injured Rivers lawmaker to be flown abroad for treatment
The Rivers State factional chairman
of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Felix Obuah, has said that
arrangements have been concluded to fly abroad, for better treatment,
the injured anti-Amaechi lawmaker, Michael Okechukwu Chinda, who
represents Obio/Akpor II constituency.
Speaking in Port Harcourt yesterday, he
also called for thorough investigation, arrest and prosecution of the
lawmakers and others involved in attempted murder in the Rivers State
House of Assembly on July 9.
The Chief of Staff, Government House,
Port Harcourt, Chief Tony Okocha, however, declared yesterday that the
“intimidation and madness” in Rivers State must stop forthwith.
The five anti-Amaechi lawmakers: Chinda,
Kelechi Godspower Nwogu (Omuma), Evans Bapakaye Bipi (Ogu/Bolo),
Martins Amaewhule (Obio/Akpor I) and Victor Ihunwo (Port Harcourt III),
are loyal to the Minister of State for Education, Chief Nyesom Wike.
The pro-Wike legislators on July 9
attempted to impeach the Speaker, Otelemaba Dan Amachree, to pave the
way for the eventual removal of Governor Rotimi Amaechi, who is also the
Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), but was resisted.
The resistance led to exchange of blows
by the lawmakers and their supporters in the main chambers of the House
of Assembly, with injuries sustained by Amachree; the leader of the
House, Chidi Lloyd, a lawyer, who represents Emohua constituency; and
Chinda, leading to the breaking of the mace.
The “rebel” lawmakers hurriedly made
Bipi the “new speaker,” and as he was making his acceptance speech,
Amaechi stormed the Assembly with Amachree, other loyal lawmakers and
their aides, resulting in free-for-all, with the speaker (Amachree)
eventually presiding and adjourning sitting indefinitely.
On July 10, the Assembly was sealed off
by the police, when the five anti-Amaechi lawmakers, in a 32-member
House, attempted to sit, with the main gate of the expansive premises
taken over from 6 am by the governor’s supporters, who were later
confronted by Wike’s loyalists, led by Bipi.
Soldiers and policemen had to use
teargas to disperse the protesting youths, with some of the teargas
canisters landing in the Government House, Port Harcourt, which angered
Amaechi, who declared that the state was under siege.
Soldiers and the two Armoured Personnel
Carriers (APCs) in Government House, Port Harcourt were eventually
withdrawn by the Commanding Officer of the Elele Barracks in Rivers
State without official communication, and was widely condemned.
The House of Representatives had to take
over the functions of the Rivers Assembly and called for the
redeployment of the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mbu Joseph Mbu, whom
they accused of taking sides.
Okocha said: “Nigerians need to stand up
against this madness of impunity, harassment and intimidation in Rivers
State. It is the only panacea for our democracy.”
Obuah, however, stated that the only way
to prevent a reoccurrence of the barbarism exhibited on the floor of
the Rivers State House of ssembly on July 9 was to ensure that those
indicted in the attempted murder were brought to book.
He said: “We are calling for the
immediate investigation of Governor Amaechi’s role in the saga, the
immediate arrest and prosecution of Chidi Lloyd, Governor Amaechi’s
Chief Security Officer (CSO) and his Aide-de-Camp (ADC), for carrying
out the despicable act to impress their paymaster.
“Not even in the worst democracies of
the world can a lawmaker willfully premeditate and position to hack a
fellow lawmaker to death, as Chidi Lloyd did to Hon. Michael Okechukwu
Chinda.
“Up till now, neither Governor Amaechi
nor Chidi Lloyd and their blood-thirsty accomplices have been invited
for explanation by the relevant security agencies, over the attempted
murder.
“Chidi Lloyd is yet to realise that
parliamentary immunity from prosecution over speeches made on the floor
of the House of Assembly, does not guarantee a deliberate attempt to
kill or cause bodily harm on his colleagues or any other person, within
the Assembly complex.
“Hon. Chinda is lying critically ill in a
private hospital in Port Harcourt; where series of surgery have been
performed to save his life,stitch his broken head and nose, among other
bodily injuries.
“It is indeed dramatic to see Hon. Chidi
Lloyd lying on a hospital bed, pretending to be ill, when indeed he
used the House’s mace to hit Hon. Chinda, who doctors are battling to
save his life.
“It is Rivers PDP’s position that the
attempted murder, deplorable and barbaric acts of Chidi Lloyd and
Governor Amaechi’s personal aides be thoroughly investigated and
appropriate sanctions given, if the very basic essence of legislative
business in a democracy is not to be undermined.
“The PDP and Rivers people will no
longer fold their arms and watch the rain of terror on the entire state
by a few persons, whose inordinate ambition to hold on to power has
frenzied them to go berserk.”
The factional chairman also urged Rivers
people, especially PDP members, to remain calm and go about their
normal activities without fear.
He condemned the resolution of the House
of Representatives to take over the functions of the Rivers House of
Assembly, while describing the call for the redeployment of the Rivers
State Commissioner of Police, Mbu Joseph Mbu, as uncalled for.
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Amaechi should please take things easy, if i'm in his shoe i will step down and leave power to the world, because no power will not take you to heaven, no matter your rank for God is not a respecter of any person, for we will all give account before our maker either good or bad, the power in the world is temporary and above all power belongs to God but we the people in the world want to kill ourselves because of our selfish interest.
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