Members of the Federal House of Representatives led by Hon. Pally Iriase were in Port Harcourt the Rivers State capital on solidarity and condolence visit to Dr. Dakuku Peterside, governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC on Sunday February 22.
The lawmakers who were in the state to commiserate with Peterside and the APC over the attack on their rally in Okrika, condemned in its entirety, the growing intolerance and violence in Rivers State. The members who described the assault as an attack on freedom of association and movement, called on politicians in the state to focus on issues rather than resorting to intimidation and harassment of opponents.
Speaking on behalf of the lawmakers, leader of the delegation, Hon. Iriase warned that nobody, no matter how highly placed, must not be perceived to be encouraging violence of any kind.
“This visit is solemn and it is from the House of Representatives. We have come to commiserate with our brother and our own, Dr. Dakuku Peterside and people of Rivers State. Apart from those who were critically wounded, an officer lost his life. It is unfortunate that a serving policeman was cut down.
‘As the events unfolded, we were worried because no serious action was taken to nip the crisis in the bud. If there was any action at all, we will not be here today on condolence .We do not need to waste lives if truly our mission in politics is to serve. As a House therefore, we condemn in totality, agents of this violence.
‘We know Peterside as a gentleman and God-fearing born-again Christian and he would not want to be associated with violence. So we were really worried and distressed when we heard that his party was attacked by the hoodlums. We are therefore using this medium to send a message: people should campaign on issues. We also wish to call on the security agencies to be independent and up and doing. They should not take sides so that they can deal with whoever that is perpetrating this evil. Please take our message to the people of Rivers State. We came all the way to signpost our abhorrence as a House to violence.
Responding, Peterside thanked his colleagues for their concern and time, describing this season of campaigns as inauspicious for a politician to travel because of work pressure.
‘I wish to express our deep appreciation for finding time to commiserate with us over the loss of a fine police officer and others who were injured in Okrika, home of First Lady,Patience Jonathan. First, the House passed a resolution on the issue. I want to commend the House of Representatives for this.
“As we speak, a member of the APC was kidnapped in Kaari, Khana LGA today. Two days ago, a number of APC supporters were shot in Ogu. Our people in Bolo were attacked after the withdrawal of security there. We signed a peace deal last year, yet our offices where bombed at Okrika and Ngo. On a single day, 11 members of the APC were killed in Omoku. APC rallies have been disrupted across the state by unknown gunmen, till date no arrests have been made and nobody is being prosecuted.
“We therefore wish to use this medium to call on men of goodwill to rise up and condemn this ugly violence, just like the House of Representatives. We all need to put pressure the authority to do something about politically instigated violence which has become rampant in Rivers State. The Civil War started with Western Nigeria crisis. If we do not do something about the crisis in Rivers State and other parts of Nigeria, we will be endangering our peace and unity and most importantly our nascent democracy. Our situation calls for urgency and concerted effort so that we are not endangered. Please take this message to all Nigerians. I also want to say that by your visit today, you have made a statement that Nigerians want peace”.
Also speaking Hon. Aliyu Gabi a member of the House from Bauchi State said the House stands together to condemn the political violence in rivers states which is escalating by the day. Hon. Gabi said unchecked political violence has capacity of consuming political actors and the democratic process itself. He therefore called on the federal government to rise up and stop the mess before it spreads to other parts of the country. Seven members of the House came on the trip.
