Fasehun Wants Amaechi’s Security Restored

 

Governor Rotimi Amaechi

Sheriff Balogun

The Chairman of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) and founder of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Dr. Frederick Fasehun, has called on federal government to restore the security officers attached to Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State.

Fasehun, in a statement made available to THISDAY Monday in Abeokuta, stated that the security of the governor should remain sacrosanct, wondering “what could be the reason for withdrawing the governor’s security personnel and unduly exposing him to danger?”

According to him, “Why should a governor as the Chief Security Officer of the state be helpless in instructing the Commissioner of Police to
enforce law and order, simply because of the break-down in the personal relationship of the two gentlemen?”

Fasehun, however, asked militants in the Niger Delta region, as well as security agencies, to steer clear of the political crisis in the state to allow politicians resolve their own problems.

The OPC leader, who endorsed the resolution of the House of Representatives to take over the legislative functions of the state House of Assembly, insisted that  Amaechi should accord due honour to the president, despite their personal differences, saying: “What you sow, you reap.

“Sow respect and you reap respect; sow dishonour and you reap dishonour. Not only the Holy Books, even good home training teaches this and the governor ought to know this.”

Describing the move by the House to take over the functions of the state Assembly, Fasehun said it was a creative initiative that would guarantee that the state legislature was not hijacked by either opponents or proponents of the embattled governor.

According to him, the show of shame and violence that followed the purported impeachment of the Speaker on the floor of the Assembly clearly robbed the legislature of the power to continue in office.

“The House of Representatives could not have folded its arms while the legislature in one state in the federation got consumed by crisis,” Fasehun however warned that, the House of Representatives must play a neutral role throughout, and guarantee the quick return of full democracy to this otherwise peaceful state.

Recalling that police had in 2003 compromised its neutrality in the case of former Governor Chris Ngige, Fasehun lamented that history appeared to be repeating itself in Rivers State and it could endanger the nation’s democracy.

The OPC President similarly reacted to reports that Niger Delta militants and cultists had invaded Rivers State, pursuant to the launch of an onslaught against interests in the crisis, remarking that it would be a dangerous move.

He said: “Violence can only beget more violence. The intervention of militants will result in a vicious cycle of reprisal attacks. No matter how such a confrontation turns out, it will be a lose-lose situation for the peace-loving people of Rivers State, who stand to pay a heavy price for any breakdown in the society.” Lamenting that legislators charged with lawmaking resorted to championing a break-down of law and order in the state, the elder statesman said all those involved must face the full wrath of the law. “They should have taken their fighting to the streets instead of settling their personal scores in the hallowed chambers of the assembly,” he said.

The show-of-shame is an embarrassment to Nigerians. It amounts to promoting indiscipline. legislators must learn to react with dignity to issues easily ironed out through dialogue and compromise.”

According to the OPC founder, the situation in Rivers State justified calls for the convening of a Sovereign National Conference (SNC).