…Insist security agencies must rise above rhetorics
.As protesters remain on the streets of Rivers, demand reinstatement of Fubara as Gov
Daniel Dauda, Jos, Emmanuel Nlewedum, Port Harcourt
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Branch of the Plateau, have urged Federal Government and security agents to rise above mere rhetorics and intensify swift, visible, and effective measures to ensure justice for the attack victims in Bokkos and Bassa local governments.
The Association were disheartened by the continued bloodletting in Plateau State, under the guise of communal crises.
They warned that it must no longer be treated with indifference or vague promises.
Noting, “that the slogan should no longer be enough is enough, but it should be this is enough let’s stand and take actions.”
Chairmen of four branches of NBA while speaking to newsmen at NUJ Secretariat in Jos on Tuesday, said, it is utterly heart-wrenching that while the state is yet to recover from the horror and pain of previous attacks, “our peace is once again shattered by another wave of senseless and barbaric killings.
These acts of violence are a direct assault on our shared humanity, the rule of law, and the fundamental right to life as enshrined in our Constitution.”
Led by Leah Dagung Hassan, Chairman NBA, Jos branch alongside W.T. Awe, chairman, Pankshin branch, S.T. Ahile, chairman Bukuru branch, and David Dashak, chairman, Shendam branch, revealed that they align their thoughts with submission of their president, Mazi Afam Osigwe SAN, which in a statement dated 15th April, 2025, called the attention of government to uphold the tenets of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to wit the right to life.
Commending the action taken, NBA Plateau branch have demanded the immediate identification, arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators of the wicked act. “That all perpetrators who are arrested be prosecuted in Plateau State and not taken to Abuja, where we no longer hear anything about them again, suggesting that they have been released.
“That the Federal Government should deploy adequate security personnel to vulnerable communities with clear mandates for community protection.
That States should be allowed to establish State Police who will be armed with weapons to defend our communities.
“Establishment of a conflict resolution and early warning mechanism through collaboration with community leaders, civil society, and security stakeholders.
“That communities be allowed to defend themselves. We therefore demand that the Federal Government empower vulnerable communities with self-defense mechanisms and equipment, since the current security personnel are not enough to secure our lives.
“Provision of relief and rehabilitation for affected persons, particularly women and children, and resettlement of displaced communities within the shortest possible time.
“The lives of Plateau people matter. The Nigerian Bar Association on the Plateau will not stand by while our communities are turned into killing fields. We shall continue to use all legal and moral platforms available to us to demand justice, accountability, and peace for our people.”
Pro-Fubara protesters demand Gov’s reinstatement
Hundreds of Rivers youths, men and women on Tuesday April 22, 2025, marched through major streets of Port Harcourt main town in protest, demanding the reinstatement of the suspended State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and members of the State House of Assembly.
The protesters, all dressed on black attires also called on President Bola Tinubu to call off the state of emergency declared in the state.
Tuesday’s demonstration is the latest in a series of protests and counter-protests that have rocked the state since the declaration of the emergency rule in the state by President Bola on March 18, which also saw the appointment of Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as the Sole Administrator.
The protesters who also promised to vote President Tinubu for second term in office come 2027 if he hearkens to them and reinstates Governor Fubara, were armed with placards with various inscriptions such as, “Tinubu, please bring back our governor,” “leave Rivers State alone, Fubara is our governor,” “Wike, nobody disturbed your 8 years rule,” “God is watching you, Wike, the Pharaoh of Rivers/Nigeria.”
Other placards read: “We don’t want this imposed state of emergency again,” “We want our elected governor Fubara back,” “Governor Fubara is the pride of Rivers people,” “Together, we stand for Governor Sim Fubara,” and “Ibas, Park your load, go back to Calabar,” and Port Harcourt Township United Pressure Group says; Mr. President till 2031/Gov Fubara till 2031.”
The protesters also blamed the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike for the political crisis in the state.
Mrs Agnes Wariboko, a private medical practitioner in Port Harcourt, told journalists on the sideline of the protest that they volunteered to embark on the protests to register their displeasure over the prolonged and unwarranted declaration of emergency rule on Rivers.
Wariboko explained in anger that Rivers State and her people have become a laughing stock in the committee of states and blamed Wike for the embarrassment and humiliation he has brought upon the state.
Describing Wike with the most unprintable words, she alleged that the former governor’s achievements for eight years could not be compared with Fubara’s records within only 22 months in office.
Another visibly angry woman from Wike’s Ikwerre Land, Mrs Kate Chinwo Ndamati, said apart from the issue of his inordinate desire to control the state resources, the FCT Minister is jealous of Fubara’s achievements within a short period.
Ndamati expressed worry that President Tinubu could impose an emergency rule on the state based on “Wike’s tissues of fabricated lies,” and appealed to Tinubu to restore democracy in Rivers.”
With solidarity songs, the women who confirmed that the protest was spontaneous and voluntary deplored the action against Fubara as “harsh, undemocratic, and a violation of the rights of the people who voted for him.”
