Governors’ convoy under attack in Rivers violence

Protest as Amaechi hosts Aliyu, Nyako,
Lamido, Kwankwaso
A bloodbath was averted yesterday at the
Port Harcourt International Airport,
Omagwa, Rivers State.
Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s supporters
and Minister of State for Education
Nyesom Wike’s clashed, hurling missiles at
one another.
Caught in the violence were four visiting
governors – Alhaji Rabiu Kwakwanso (Kano
State), Alhaji Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu
(Niger State), Alhaji Sule Lamido (Jigawa
State) and Alhaji Murtala Nyako
(Adamawa State).
The governors flew into Port Harcourt to
see the Chairman of the Nigeria
Governors Forum (NGF).
Eye witnesses said that the mob attacked
the convoy of the governor and his
visitors with stones and clubs, smashing
the windshield of some of the vehicles,
including the coaster bus in which
commissioners rode. They were shouting
obscenities at the convoy. A four litre keg
suspected to contain some acid was also
found .
Over 5,000 supporters of Wike, under the
aegis of the Grassroots Development
Initiative (GDI), armed with placards
bearing various inscriptions, moved to the
airport as early as 7 am, protesting
against the governors’ visit.
The minister, who intends to succeed
Amaechi in 2015, is the grand patron of
GDI.
Wike’s loyalists were confronted by
Amaechi’s supporters at the parking lot of
the airport, with missiles flying and
people scampering to safety.
Information Commissioner Ibim
Semenitari said: “There were jitters in the
Presidency over the visit of governors of
Adamawa, Jigawa, Kano and Niger to
Rivers State Governor and Chairman of
the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Rt. Hon
Chibuike Amaechi in Port Harcourt today
(yesterday).
“Members of the Nyesom Wike’s
campaign organisation, GDI, had
mobilised hoodlums to disrupt the visit,
chanting solidarity songs in favour of the
Presidency and attempted to attack
Governor Amaechi and his team.
“Wike had boasted after the failed
impeachment attempt at the Rivers State
House of Assembly that he would set
Rivers State ablaze and render it
ungovernable. A four-litre keg, suspected
to contain some acid, was found beside
the mob.
“Rivers State Police Commissioner Mbu
Joseph Mbu denied knowledge of the
mob’s presence. Although the police
stated that the airport is a public place
and everyone has a right to visit freely
and unhindered.
“This portends grave danger and has far-
reaching implications for our fledgling
democracy.”
Some of the placards by Wike’s
supporters read: “Northern governors
should concentrate on Boko Haram”;
“Amaechi not elected Rivers governor to
be NGF Chairman”; “Nyako and co, leave
our resources alone”; “Soyinka, face
Southwest” and “Aliyu and others in
Rivers State to cause confusion.”
A prominent Nigerian, who witnessed the
incident at the airport, but would not
want his name in print, said the clash was
uncalled for, stressing that it heightened
tension in the area, leading to confusion.
Passengers had to either hide or run for
their lives.
The Police Command, led by Johnson Oni,
soldiers and operatives of the State
Security Service (SSS) prevented the
breakdown of law and order.
The Secretary-General of the GDI, Samuel
Nwanosike, who is also the Rivers
Publicity Secretary of the PDP, in a
telephone interview, said it was a
“peaceful” protest, with Wike’s supporters
“singing and dancing,” to show that they
were not happy with the governors’ visit.
Nwanosike said: “Rivers people are not
happy with Amaechi and the four visiting
governors. We went to the airport for a
peaceful protest, singing and dancing.
Over 5,000 chiefs, women and youths
from the 23 local government areas of
the state participated in the protest.
Nobody threw stones.
“The four governors should leave Rivers
State resources alone. We are tired of
their presence. They should quickly
return to the North and face Boko Haram
suicide bombers.
“Oni was at the airport while we were
protesting and he did a good job as a
professional police officer. He said
everybody had the right to protest, but
we should not block the road.”
The four governors later met with their
host (Amaechi) at the Government
House, Port Harcourt, on how to ensure
peace in Rivers State and other parts of
Nigeria.
Rising from their meeting with Amaechi,
which lasted for more than three hours,
the four northern governors issued a
statement made available to reporters.