Rivers Crisis: We’ll Report Troublemakers To International Community – IHRPS
The International Human Rights Protection Service (IHRPS), in Rivers State has threatened that it will report politicians causing trouble in Rivers State to the international committee of nations for appropriate sanctions to be taken should the current political crisis continue to fester.
The international rights advocacy group, said it had keenly observed that the current political turmoil rocking the state is fueled by selfish politicians seeking to maintain political control at the detriment of the smooth governance and prosperity of the state
Chairperson of the group Irene Kaladappa Jumbo, made the disclosure while briefing journalists in port Harcourt over the weekend, noting that the lingering political tussle had negatively impacted on the rights of indigenes and visitors of the state, stressing that the fight is unnecessary.
She said, “The International Human Rights Protection Services, Rivers State chapter has closely monitored with keen interest the political imbroglio in Rivers State which is orchestrated by the emergence of two major blocs in the political environment of the state.
“As much as we have resolved to remain neutral in the matter, we will not hesitate to identify and evaluate some germain issues which have raised serious concerns to the people of Rivers State and the nation at large.
“The soul of Rivers State is presently bleeding, the political atmosphere is tense and the future appears gloomy. After a careful review of the fight in this regard vis-a-vis the law, we came to the conclusion that the fight is most unnecessary.
“It is worthy to note that any further escalation of this issue will leave us with no other option than to make a formal report to our international headquarter in Florida, USA for necessary action with the relevant international institutions. We shall ensure adequate measures are made against those disturbing the peace of the state,” she added.
The group however hailed the police for the efforts in maintaining peace in the state, but condemned its continued occupation of local government council secretariats, emphasising that their takeover had stopped workers of the council from carrying out the lawful duties.
“May we appreciate the police and other security agencies for maintaining peace in the state and for not allowing the issue of local government tenure elongation of former Chairmen and Councillors to plunge the state into deeper crisis, yet we observe that they are not really working in alliance with the governor of the state which is the chief security officer of the state, the police appears to be working in accordance with instructions from Abuja and not from the Governor.
“The continues occupation of local government councils by the police is thereby denying the workers and visitors access to the council and the right to transact with the council is clearly against democratic principles.”
Chairperson of the group, condemned in strong terms the demands for a state of emergency in Rivers State, urging the police to carefully scrutinize the proponents of the call, as well as question former council chairmen who publicly made inflammatory statements against constituted authorities in the state.
“We condemn in totality the call a declaration of a state of emergency in the state, particularly by Chief Tony Okocha, the APC Caretaker Chairman in Rivers State, such ignominious call for a declaration of state of emergency in the state should not be swept under the carpet, the persons making such calls out to have been scrutinized by the police, unfortunately, we have not heard of any invitation to chief Tony Okocha.
“The utterances and inciting comments by Dr Chidi Lloyd, Emohua Local Government former Chairman, honourable Samuel Nwanosike, Ikwerre LGA former Chairman and honourable Obarilomate Ollor, Eleme Local Government former Chairman, are rather unfortunate, sadly enough non of these former Chairmen who made these inflammatory statements have been invited for questioning.”
