The Rivers State Government has expressed its displeasure over the storming of the residence of Supreme Court Justice and wife of former Governor of the State, Mary Odili, over last week’s judgment that gave the Bayelsa Governorship seat to Senator Diri Duoye of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) 24 hours to the swearing-in of the All Progressives Congress (APC) David Lyon.
An unverified viral video showed protesters within the precincts of a residence and chanting songs mostly in Hausa language.
The Rivers State Executive Council is pointing accusing fingers in the direction of the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva; and APC National Chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, for the alleged invasion on the residence of the Odilis.
The council warned both men and others involved as it was ready to employ every legal means to protect the State’s indigenes anywhere, adding it would retaliate if the harassment continues.
A statement from the State Executive Council and signed by the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Paulinus Nsirim, reads in full:
The Rivers State Executive Council at its meeting held on Wednesday 19th February, 2020 at the Government House, Port Harcourt reviewed the recent attacks on the residence of the Former Governor of Rivers State, Dr Peter Odili as a result of the Supreme Court judgment that nullified the election of David Lyon as Governor of Bayelsa State and resolved as follows:
1. That 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.
2. That 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) .
3. That the Rivers State Executive Council 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.
4.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 Dr Peter Odili and members of his family.
5. That the Rivers State Government will hold Timipre Sylva and Adams Oshiomhole responsible if anything happens to Dr Peter Odili and members of his family.
6. That the Rivers State Executive Council noted 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.
7.That the Rivers State Government will employ all legal means to protect Dr Peter Odili and members of his family.
8. That the Rivers State Government will protect Rivers State Indigenes who are serving Federal and State Judicial officers .
9. That the Rivers State Government warns that should this harassment and intimidation continue, it will have no alternative than to retaliate.
10. That the Rivers State Government will defend the lives and property of Rivers people at all times.
11. Enough is enough.