Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has launched a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate the recent violence, arson, and destruction at local government council headquarters in the state.
The incidents, which occurred on Monday, are believed to be an offshoot of the feud between the state governor and his predecessor, the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
The seven-member commission, chaired by Hon. Justice Ibiwengi Roseline Minakiri, includes Mrs. Inyingi Brown as Secretary and Barrister Uzor Ikenga as Counsel. Other members are Barrister Felicia Nwoke, Professor Blessing Didia, Sir Samuel Egbe, and Venerable Alex Usifor. Their responsibilities include identifying the causes of the attacks, assessing the damage, and identifying those responsible.
Governor Fubara stressed that no individual, regardless of status, would be exempt from justice. He warned that politically motivated violence would not be tolerated and urged the commission to act with integrity and courage despite potential threats.
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The commission, which has one month to submit its report, will evaluate the role of security agencies, propose sanctions for those found culpable, and recommend strategies to prevent future incidents.
But the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, while speaking on Channels TV, accused the governor of being the architect of the violence.
Wike said he condemns the violence in the state but added that since the governor had alleged that the perpetrators were his political enemies, there was no need for the setting up of any judicial commission of inquiry other than directing the police to arrest the perpetrators.
“I have told our lawyers to go and set aside the rubbish (referring to the commission of inquiry). What does he want to enquire since the governor said he knows it’s his political opponents that did it?” he asked.
He said the genesis of the crisis was that the governor plotted a coup to remove the speaker of the state assembly, and it boomeranged.
“It is not about demand for resources. As he ever told you, I said he should go and bring any money, and that’s why I am fighting him,” he asked.
On efforts to restore lasting peace in the state, Wike said, “First of all, I deny that fact of Fubara kneeling down to beg me to allow peace to reign. Mr. President cannot intervene, and we did our path only for him (Fubara) to start playing tricks. Then we say, If that’s the way it is, we are out of it (peace deal).”
Meanwhile, relative calm has returned to the state, our correspondent observed.
This is as the newly appointed Commissioner of Police, Mustapha Mohammed, pledged to restore normalcy in all the troubled LGAs.
During his inaugural media briefing after taking over from Olatunji Disu, Mohammed expressed his commitment to collaborate with state and non-state actors to address the recent post-election violence.
He stated, “As I assume duty, my priority is the safety and security of all residents and visitors in Rivers State.” He acknowledged the state’s unique security challenges, including kidnapping, cultism, and political unrest.
Mohammed also emphasised his zero-tolerance policy towards corruption within the police force, asserting that officers engaging in misconduct will face severe consequences.
“We are here to uphold justice, not to be agents of oppression,” he said, indicating plans to strengthen internal monitoring to ensure discipline.
Additionally, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, has called for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s intervention to address the political crisis in Rivers State, citing it as a threat to national security.
Akpoti-Uduaghan warned that failure to act could escalate violence and disrupt the peace, urging all stakeholders to prioritise dialogue and reconciliation for the greater good of the state and the nation.
By Clement A. Oloyede, Saawua Terzungwe (Abuja) & Victor Edozie (Port Harcourt)
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