Reactions have trailed the opening of Obio/Akpor Council gate by the Rivers State Police Command.
The Obio/Akpor Council gate was blocked after the suspension of the chairman of the council, Hon. Timothy Nsirim, his vice, Dr. Solomon Abel Eke and 17 councillors of the council in April, 2013,
The council gate remains blocked even when the state government under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi appointed, Mr. Chikodi David Dick as the Caretaker Committee chairman of the council for the five month following the suspension of the council chairman by the Rivers State House of Assembly.
With the judgment of the Rivers State High Court delivered by Justice Iyayi in favour of the erstwhile Obio/Akpor council chairman, Hon. Timothy Nsirim on 24th November, 2013 the closed gate was now opened.
Prior to this judgment, there were lots of criticisms against the police on blocking the Obio/Akpor council gate.
The state government and some residents of Port Harcourt described the police action as bias.
According to them the Rivers State Police Command under Joseph Mbu Joseph are acting under the watch of the Federal Government and the Inspector General of Police in other words they rely on the IG and the Federal Government to act the way they acted in Rivers State.
The accusation manifested when the Obio/Akpor council gate was opened by the Divisional Police Officer incharge of Mini Okoro police station with other police officers on 25th November, 2013 ushered in the council chairman and his supporters to the council.
Some of the Port Harcourt residents who spoke with The Newswriter said the opening of the gate to usher in the Obio/Akpor Council Chairman, Hon. Timothy Nsirim and his supporters has vindicated the Rivers State Government orders from the IG and the Federal Government to work against the incumbent Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.
According to Mr. Ugochukwu a resident who hails from Imo State, these are indications that the police were bias in handling the matter “The police could not open the gate since the Caretaker Committee chairman, Mr. Chikodi Dike was incharge of the council, but now that the state High Court has delivered the judgment in favour of Timothy Nsirim they have lifted the blockage on the council to allow him entered, it is unfair.
Other residents of Rivers State who spoke with The Newswriter who refused to have their names in print blamed the police for being bias in the matter. ###
Emeka Jilly Ejiowhor
