The Rivers State government has accused the Federal Government of not interested in protecting Former Governor of Rivers State, Dr Peter Odili and his family from sponsored threats to their lives.
The State Executive Council made the allegation on Wednesday in view of the recent attacks on the residence of Dr Odili as a result of the Supreme Court judgment that nullified the election of David Lyon as Governor of Bayelsa State.
The Rivers State Executive Council observed that the Federal Government seems not to show interest in the sponsored threats to the lives of Dr Peter Odili and members of his family and condemned the barricading of his residence at Maitama, Abuja by sponsored thugs of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Paulinus Nsirim, the Rivers SEC wondered “why Dr Peter 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”.
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It warned 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 Dr Peter Odili and members of his family.
“The Rivers State Government will hold Timipre Sylva and Adams Oshiomhole responsible if anything happens to Dr Peter Odili and members of his family”, the SEC stated, noting that in the past Rivers State suffered unfavourable judicial pronouncements and never resorted to self help as being promoted by APC leaders in the case of Bayelsa State.
“The Rivers State Government will employ all legal means to protect Dr Peter Odili and members of his family”, it warned, adding “the Rivers State Government will protect Rivers State Indigenes who are serving Federal and State Judicial officers”.
The SEC said further; “The Rivers State Government warns that should this harassment and intimidation continue, it will have no alternative than to retaliate. The Rivers State Government will defend the lives and property of Rivers people at all times. Enough is enough”.
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