Rivers State Government has condemned attacks on former Governor of the state, Dr. Peter Odili, and his family following the Supreme Court judgment that nullified the election of David Lyon as governor of Bayelsa State.
A statement issued by the Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Paulinus Nsirim, in Port Harcourt on Wednesday after the state Executive Council meeting noted that the state reviewed attacks on the residence of the former governor as a result of the Supreme Court judgment and observed that the federal government seems not to show interest in what it described as sponsored threats to the lives of Odili and members of his family.
Nsirim said: “The Rivers State Executive Council condemns the barricading of the residence of Dr. Peter Odili at Maitama, Abuja, by sponsored thugs of the All Progressives Congress (APC).”
The state wondered why Odili's family should be singled out for “the unwarranted attack, when the judgment that ousted David Lyon as Governor of Bayelsa State was a unanimous decision of a five-member panel of Supreme Court Justices.”
The statement further stated: “That the Rivers State Executive Council warns the Minister of State for Petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylva and the National Chairman of APC, Adams Oshiomhole, and their hired agents to desist from the sponsorship of violent attacks against Odili and members of his family.
“That the Rivers State Government will hold Sylva and Oshiomhole responsible if anything happens to Odili and members of his family.”
It noted that in the past Rivers State had suffered unfavourable judicial pronouncements and never resorted to self-help as allegedly being promoted by APC Leaders in the case of Bayelsa State.
It warned that the Rivers State Government would employ all legal means to protect Odili and members of his family.
It also stated that the state would protect Rivers State Indigenes who are serving as federal and state judicial officers.
“The Rivers State Government warns that should this harassment and intimidation continue, it will have no alternative than to retaliate.
“That the Rivers State Government will defend the lives and property of Rivers people at all times. Enough is enough,” the statement added.
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