…Gov. Fubara’s kinsmen demand redeployment of Police Commissioner
*Gov Fubara and Nyesom Wike, former governor of Rivers State
Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, has threatened to shut down petrol distribution across Rivers State if the ongoing political crisis in the state continues.
The threat is coming on the heels of tension in the state over alleged impeachment moves against the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and the subsequent razing down of the Rivers State House of Assembly, and the alleged assassination attempt on the governor by Police operatives.
The situation which has caused the state to be on a standstill, with numerous support and counter support on the warring factions by stakeholders, while the business community fears that the political tension would drive away investments in the state.
Speaking, IPMAN Chairman in Rivers State, Dr Joseph Obele, said the attempted assassination of the governor was a serious issue capable of threatening the business environment and development of the state.
Obele warned that the events of the political sectors obviously affects the economy sector, and that investors were the drivers of any economy or state. He called on all warring parties to allow peace reign in the State so that the governor can bring meaningful development into the state.
He said: “The statement made by the Executive Governor of Rivers State regarding the attempt assassination on his life is a serious issue that is capable of threatening the business friendly atmosphere and development of Rivers State.
“If the Governor is not safe, then no other person is safe, this will be the mindset of investors. It is obvious that the events of the political sectors affects the economy sector and investors are the drivers of any economy or state.
“Such an ugly circumstance is not for the good of the state, so we in the oil and gas sector hereby call on the Commissioner of Police to investigate the attempt assassination on the Governor as alleged, and thereafter present the report of such investigation to the general public.
“Without peace, there can be no development. The most fragile sector to suffer from any form of insecurity is the petroleum sector because of the degree of flammability. We have a responsibility to protect the lives and properties of petroleum marketers, we hereby call for peace, otherwise we shall have no option than to shut down distribution, dispensing and suppy of petrol if the state is in crisis.”
Meanwhile, a socio-political support group for Governor Siminalayi Fubara known as Ida Obolo Sim Vanguard, have called on the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to immediately redeploy the state Commissioner of Police, Emeke Nwonyi, over the crisis that rocked the state House of Assembly and the attack on the governor.
Ida Obolo, who are the kinsmen of the governor from the Ijaw ethnic nationality while condemning the activities of the Nigeria Police Force, said it was most embarrassing that CP Nwonyi-led state command supervised the ill-treatment meted out on the governor without recourse to professionalism.
Former Chairman of the Andoni Local Government Area of the state, Gogo-Ogute Isaiah, while briefing newsmen expressed dismay that even when the State House of Assembly was located very close to the State Police Headquarters where the CP seats, he could not prevent the bombing and destruction of the House and the attack on governor Fubara.
“We are suspecting the police as being responsible for fomenting this problem in the state. The Police could not investigate and prove to us that they were competent in handling the security affairs of this state hence this ugly incident happened before them.
“All we noticed is the Commissioner of Police embarrassing our Governor, and his men teargassing and spraying water on our governor. That is the worst embarrassment and we did not expect that from the police.
“I am calling on the Inspector General of Police to immediately redeploy the Rivers State Commissioner of Police from the state because he is incompetent. He cannot handle the security affairs of this state. So he should be redeployed,” he said.
