Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, has condemned what it termed “the provoked violence that erupted in the Rivers State House of Assembly”, warning that the ugly incident portends danger for the democracy.
NUPENG, in a statement by its President, Achese Igwe, argued that the action of some of the lawmakers in the House of Assembly was uncalled for and not in tandem with the tenets of democratic values.
The group therefore called for caution on the part of the lawmakers to allow peace to reign.
“We are unhappy with the partisan posture of the police that is supposed to protect the lives and property of the State. That is why we are calling for the establishment of State police, which will be under the control of the Chief Executive of the State.
“NUPENG therefore calls for the immediate removal of the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mbu Jospeh Mbu on his inability to strengthen on the hitherto peace that has characterized Rivers State, when his predecessors held sway. NUPENG calls for a speedy investigation of the fracas and breach of peace in the Rivers State House of Assembly, as promised by the Inspector-General f Police, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar.”
Also reacting on the crisis in Rivers State, the state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC has blamed the current security challenges facing the state on the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Joseph Mbu.
Speaking when he led a delegation of his members to the governor at Government House, Port Harcourt Chairman of the state’s NLC, Comrade Chris Oruge lamented the security situation in the state, adding that hoodlums had resumed their activities in several parts of the state.
“The security of the state has gone down since the posting of the ‘almighty’ Mbu (Rivers State Police Commissioner). Mbu has become another former INEC Chairman for us and everybody now is sleeping with one eye open”.
“All the militants, the bad boys who had left this state have reconvened and have been doing what they are doing. The result of their actions is on those of us who have no security, have nobody to protect us except the Almighty God”, he said.
“We are here to make our point and to tell you (Amaechi) that labour is solidly behind you and we will continue to support your government. Since this crisis in the state, we have not heard anybody pinpointing that Amaechi’s administration has not done well in Rivers State, so we are completely at a loss what actually the problem is about,” Oruge said.
may god help us all