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| Injured Lawmaker |
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Soldiers and the two Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) in Government House, Port Harcourt were eventually withdrawn by the Commanding Officer of the Elele Barracks in Rivers State without official communication, and was widely condemned.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.
Source: The Nation
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