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.
Culled from Nigerian Monitor
