The First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, yesterday extended the olive branch to Governor Rotimi Amaechi over the ongoing crisis in Rivers State, saying the governor is her son.
Mrs. Jonathan also said she had committed the ongoing crisis in Rivers to prayer.
“Amaechi is my son, I cannot fight him and I cannot kill him. He shouldn’t be used by outsiders against his own blood because this seat is vanity.
“One day, no matter how long it takes, we will leave this seat. Power is not forever. This seat is vanity, others sat here and left so one day I’ll also leave and we will meet at home; so why should I fight him?
“Let’s take it easy, face issues, leave non-existent matters, stop magnifying lies and respect our leaders and people in authority. Let’s give peace a chance,” she said.
Rivers has been embroiled in a political crisis which culminated in a free for all at the House of Assembly last week, with some members injured.
Jonathan spoke during a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa by 16 bishops from the South-South.
“Rivers State issue is one thing I’ve committed to prayer because I believe there is nothing God cannot do. God restored me and I’ll do His work without the fear of man.
“The truth will always remain the truth and what God ordains must come to pass and so Rivers issue is something we’ve handed over to God,” she said.
The president’s wife said contrary to some reports, she had always mediated between Governor Amaechi and other parties in a crisis that began four years ago.
Her words: “This matter started as far back as four years ago at Anyugubiri in Okrika when I begged him not to demolish a part of Okrika but (that he should) dialogue first with the people.
“After that incident, he called the chairman of Okrika Local Government and sacked him for holding a reception in our honour; that boy was the first victim.
“He also put my people on curfew for nine months. I called him and pleaded with him but he refused. Then I began to hear all sort of propaganda in the media against me; this is not the way.
“I’ve never spoken about this issue but as men of God, I believe you’ll say the truth always because there are a lot of conflicting interests; some will hear one thing and say the exact opposite.
“I also want you to know the genesis of this problem and pray that God touches Amaechi’s heart as per his hot temper because when two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers.”
Jonathan urged the parties involved in the crisis to help to resolve issues plaguing the state and not “whip up sentiments that will aggravate the problem.”
“I appeal to Amaechi to sheathe his sword so that we can defend our state and this country with love, unity, patriotism and truth at all time.
“Hebrews 12:14 urges us to embrace peace with all men without which, we cannot see God.”
Earlier, the Chairman, Niger Delta Bishops Forum Bishop God-Do-Well Awomapara, who led the delegation, said the visit was significant “in view of emerging situations in our region.”
“We are on a quest to unravel the mysteries surrounding the Rivers issue and mediate where necessary”, he said.
Meanwhile, following Tuesday’s attack on four governors by protesting youths at the Port Harcourt International Airport, the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, has summoned the Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Chidi Lloyd, and two aides of Governor Rotimi Amaechi.
They are the Aide-de- Camp, ADC, to the governor, Debeware-Semeikumo, and the Chief Security Officer, CSO, Tony Iwelu.
They are to report to Force Criminal Investigation Department, FCID, Force Headquarters, Abuja, for interrogation on their roles during last week’s fracas at the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The IG however warned against unlawful assembly in any part of the country.
This was even as Abubakar said the action would assist in the investigation into the Assembly crisis, saying the officers would be “interviewed” over their roles as seen in the video clips in circulation.
The IG said that the video clips show “a man carrying a mace and another in police uniform as well as other security details were seen conducting themselves in questionable and uncomplimentary manner.”
He said the invitation was meant to obtain further details that would assist in proper investigation of the matter.
The IG, therefore, reminded police personnel, particularly “those attached to VIPs to always remain mindful of their conduct and ensure that they uphold the professional ethics, traditions and best practices of the force at all times.”
He also warned that any officer found acting in ways inconsistent with extant laws and regulations of the force would be severely dealt with.
The police boss added that with the emerging security challenges in the country, especially the unfolding saga in Rivers State, “it has been observed with dismay, the attitude of some Nigerians who have chosen the nation’s airports as points of congregating their followers.”
Speaking on behalf of the IG, the Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, described such assemblies as a threat to the safety of the airport environment.
“These assemblies do not only constitute nuisance to the airport environment but are also a threat to the security of both genuine travellers and the airport authority.
“Citizens are reminded that airports all over the world are regarded as ‘restricted areas’ and as such are traditionally shielded from unnecessary intrusion,” Mba said.
He added that the police would not hesitate “from the date of this statement, to bring the full weight of extant laws on persons found forming or being part of an unlawful assembly, especially riotous assemblies.
“The force is very much aware and not unmindful of the fundamental rights of citizens, particularly their rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association, freedom of movement among others, as provided for in Chapter 4 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended); and is duty bound to respect and protect them.
“However, citizens are reminded that these rights and freedom must be enjoyed within the bounds of the law.”
He warned that assemblies must be peaceful, lawful and must not be intentionally contrived to provoke or abridge the rights of other citizens, stressing that the force would not fold its arms and watch persons or group of persons destroy the bond of the country’s unity.
“The force wishes to remind Nigerians that the laws on Unlawful and Riotous Assembly as provided for in our Criminal and Penal Laws are still in force.
“The force also cautions against the unnecessary use of unguarded, inflammatory and provocative statements capable of promoting hatred and disunity among Nigerians.
“Citizens should at all times, in the exercise of their rights, be cautious of the likely consequences of their actions and avoid acts inimical to the well-being of the nation.
“The Nigeria Police Force has a constitutional responsibility of ensuring not just the security of citizens, but to promote the unity and indivisibility of our dear country.
“It will, therefore, do all within its ability to ensure that the country remains secure, peaceful and indivisible. Nigerians of all facets of life are advised to close ranks and unite to sustain the nation’s nascent and growing democracy.
“The force enjoins citizens to shun all forms of violence and unlawful acts, eschew bitterness, hatred and rancour and go about their legitimate duties without fear of intimidation from any quarter.
“The Police High Command uses this medium to reassure Nigerians of the willingness of the Force to discharge its constitutional and statutory responsibilities, but appeals for the cooperation and understanding of the good people of Nigeria,” the police spokesman said.
It will be recalled that Amaechi and visiting Governors Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Babangida Aliyu (Niger) and Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano) were on Monday pelted by protesters believed to be supporters of the Minister of State for Education, Nyesom Wike.
Also yesterday, the police in Rivers State declared Lloyd wanted over alleged attempted murder following his attack on fellow lawmaker, Michael Okey Chindah, during the violence that rocked the legislative house last week.
Chindah represents Obio/Akpor 2 in the House.
The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mbu Joseph Mbu, yesterday in a statement signed by the Police Command’s spokesperson, Angela Agabe, said Lloyd, who represents Emuoha constituency, allegedly beat his colleague to a pulp with a fake mace used for the foiled impeachment of the Speaker, Otelemaba Amachree, and is wanted in connection with the fracas.
The statement reads: “The Rivers State Police Command has declared wanted one Hon. Chidi Lloyd, a native of Emohua in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State, about 37 years of age.
“He is the Majority Leader of Rivers State House of Assembly. He was involved in a case of conspiracy, attempted murder, wounding and wilful damage on July 9, 2013.”
The police added that Lloyd’s involvement in the fracas and video footage of his attack which went viral on the internet was being investigated by a special team from the Inspector General of Police in collaboration with the State Criminal Investigation Department.
According to the police, he was last seen on the premises of the state House of Assembly last week Tuesday and all efforts to trace his whereabouts have so far proved abortive.
The police said it decided to declare Lloyd wanted after he failed to respond to a police invitation within its stipulated period, adding that it expired July 16, 2013.
The police, therefore, appealed to the public to support the police with information concerning the whereabouts of the lawmaker, stressing that security is a collective responsibility and that the police should be aided to rid the state of crime and criminality.
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