THE animosity between rival factions in the festering crisis ravaging Rivers State recurred again yesterday as four Northern states governors on a solidarity visit to their Rivers counterpart, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, were embarassed as their convoy was pelted with stones by protesters as they left for Government House.
Surprised by the turn of events in Rivers, the four governors — Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (Kano), and Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), who condemned the fracas in the Rivers State House of Assembly, also called for the transfer of the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Mbu Joseph Mbu.
In a statement issued at Government House, Port Harcourt, yesterday, the quartet said they came to the conclusion after interacting with Governor Amaechi and other persons, adding that the way the Police were being allegedly used and abused could force state governments to reconsider their efforts towards funding the Nigeria Police.
They spoke as the office of the Inspector General of Police summoned and quizzed the Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to Governor Rotimi Amaechi and his Escort Commander. Both officers who had earlier appeared before the DIG Philemon Leha (DIG Operations) panel constituted by the IGP, to say all they knew about the fracas, were however left to go back to Port Harcourt and resume duties pending decisions by the Police High Command after interrogation. The report is expected this weekend.
Meanwhile, PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur sued for peace in the state and distanced leaders of the party from the crisis. He also denied anointing anyone for any post in the party’s forthcoming special convention as the member of the Rivers State House of Assembly who was declared speaker by the five anti-Amaechi faction of the House, Hon. Evans Bipi, yesterday declared that he remains authentic speaker of the House since he has not been impeached.
Claiming that he was elected by 23 members and not five as being acclaimed, Bipi said “the only regrettable thing is the governor coming to the hallowed chamber to supervise the beating of my honourable colleagues.”
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