House of Representatives Member, Rt Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, the spokesman for the opposition lawmakers coalition G60, has urged the Nigerian police to remain impartial in the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State.
Speaking to newsmen upon his arrival in Port Harcourt for a three-day retreat of the Reps’ Joint Committee on Midstream and Downstream Petroleum, Ugochinyere emphasized the importance of respecting the rights of the people.
“Respecting the rights of the people should be paramount to the police force, and they should not act in a way that gives undue advantage to the Abuja-based politician,” he said.
Ugochinyere called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun and the Rivers State Commissioner of Police (CP) Olatunde Rilwan Disu to respect the office of the Governor of Rivers State as well as the will of the people. “The Governor deserves some respect, the people of Rivers State deserve some respect. Indiscriminate attacks and arrests by the police are unwelcomed and not acceptable in any democratic setting,” he asserted.
He also highlighted the peaceful nature of Rivers State, which was a key reason for hosting the retreat in Port Harcourt. “If Rivers State was not peaceful and stable, over 80 lawmakers from the midstream and downstream petroleum committee would not be coming here for their three-day retreat,” Ugochinyere noted.
In his appeal, he urged the IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, to allow the rule of law to prevail and avoid taking sides in the conflict. “We want this peace to continue. That is why we are appealing to the IGP not to take sides and to stop aiding, in any way, the other side who are from Abuja,” Ugochinyere concluded.
