The people of Rivers State in all the 23 Local Government Areas went to the polls on 5th October, 2024 to elect Council Chairmen and Councilors to fill the vacant seats in the council.
In the build-up to the elections, the belligerent forces of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike were threatening fire and brimstone warning of dire consequences should the local government elections hold.
Despite the series of botched attempts by the police to frustrate the elections and even steal sensitive election materials allegedly, Governor Siminalayi, like a Trojan, in tandem with people of the state, turned out en masse to participate fully in the local government elections.
Many people described the elections as the fairest and freest election ever conducted in Rivers State, even regardless of the absence of the police and the Department of State Security, DSS.
Results were announced promptly and the victors were sworn in without much ceremony. It was all but disheartening and bizarre that Rivers people woke up on Monday, October 7, 2024 to see the senseless display of destruction and arson on notable local government secretariats namely, Eleme, Ikwerre, Emohua and Obio/Akpor to an extent. Reports are rife that the agents of destruction and arson were repelled at Obio/Akpor when they tried to gain entry into the council.
How far can we go in our collective descent into anarchy and lawlessness? Granted that everybody carries some baggage of inadequacy, the sense less acts of brigandage unleashed upon the collective psyche of Rivers people is nothing short of madness.
Salient questions need to be asked about these unconscionable acts of terror and destruction. Did the orgy of violence and arson unleashed upon the councils and those they elected to dispatch to their early graves give enough satisfaction to the arsonists?
Assuming that the orgy of violence and arson satiated their palates, does the violence undo the results of the local government elections?
Granted that the pro-Wike elements were beating their chests in flagrant display of unfettered mayhem, how do their senseless acts endear them to the people of the state?
Is it true that their acts of terror on the people of the state could not be resisted by the pro-Fubara supporters?
What advantage do the arsonists derive by pleasing their master in Abuja? Even though it is claimed that Emperor Nero was fiddling when Rome was burning, does it make any sense to replicate same in this century?
Rivers State can thrive only in an atmosphere of peace and order public. We cannot recollect in recent memory when the youths of this state would prefer to muscle their way to power through the medium of anarchy than through democratic means.
Those who feel aggrieved are expected to ventilate their grievances through the legitimate channels available. The police on the other hand are expected to act in a professional manner devoid of prejudice and double standards.
This is a clarion call on all the dramatis personae involved in the regrettable arson in the state to tow the path of peace and order such that the state can take its rightful position in the comity of states.
It is heartwarming to note that Governor Siminalayi Fubara has set up a commission of Enquiry with intent to unravel those behind the orgy of violence and arson in order to bring them to book. Any attempt to muzzle or emasculate the Judicial Commission of Inquiry should be resisted collectively by the people of the state.
Trending
- NIA Laments Spate Of Building Collapse in Port Harcourt
- PRESS STATEMENT BY RIVERS DEFENSE ALLIANCE ON THE 30TH OF OCT 2024
- I’m Not Bothered, Fubara Says Of Court Order On Rivers Allocation
- FHC, Abuja Orders CBN To Halt Federal Allocation Releases to Rivers
- Amnesty International Commends Rejection of Shell Divestment Application
- PANDEF Inaugurates Igali As National Chairman
- LG Election And Drumbeats Of Liberation In Rivers
- Edo: Can Okpebholo Survive The Haunt Of September 21?