Pro-Democracy Group To Jonathan: Put A Stop To Reign Of Impunity In Rivers

A pro-democracy group known as the Voters Assembly, has called on President Goodluck Jonathan to order the police to stop the reign of impunity in Rivers State.

The group, in a statement yesterday by its president,

Comrade Mashood Erubami, decried the political crisis in Rivers which it said has its origin in the differences between President Jonathan and Governor Rotimi Amaechi.

It described the situation as “growing lawlessness and political impunity”.

The statement said: “The growing lawlessness and political impunity going on in Rivers State call for the attention of all Nigerians, particularly a proactive action from President Jonathan. With the situation in the state, if nothing is done, it could become a festering ground for a setback for the 2015 democratic consolidation.

“The consequences of not taking immediate remedial actions by statesmen and leaders of parties to arrest the situation in Rivers State may engender a multiplier effect in other states, as manifesting already in Anambra, Nasarawa, Jigawa and Ogun. This could result in graver consequences for our democracy.

“President Jonathan cannot afford to look elsewhere and exhibit the attitude of indifference to the unwholesome development in Rivers State, particularly as a result of political difference going on among politicians, because of its grave consequences on the polity. He must, therefore, rise to the occasion and discharge his duties to preserve, protect and defend the constitution, in accordance with the law and in the best interest of the sovereignty, integrity, solidarity, well-being and security of Nigeria.

“The President must be seen to be doing right to all manner of people without consideration for political affiliation and ill-will.

“The obvious misuse of the police in River State unleashing terror on innocent citizens, who are committed to saving the state from the impunities of a few is not acceptable and stand condemned. Hence, efforts should be made by the President to make the Inspector-General of Police prevail on the Commissioner of Police, Mr. (Joseph) Mbu, to respect the law and rights of the people.

“The police under the law are obliged to respect the right of governors as the chief security officers of their states. A situation where the safety of the governor is put in jeopardy as is the case in Rivers opens the state and its indigenes to a danger of high magnitude and this can undermine the movement towards entrenching genuine democracy in Nigeria”.