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The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has urged the police to be more circumspect and avoid being partisan in their ongoing investigation into the crisis in Rivers State, if the outcome of the investigation is to be acceptable to Nigerians. In a statement, Thursday, by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the fact that only the security aides of Gov. Chibuike Amaechi have been invited to Abuja for questioning by the police hierarchy, and also the fact that only the majority leader of the State House of Assembly, Chidi Lloyd, has been declared wanted, have provided an insight into the thinking of the police on the issue. [caption id="attachment_403503" align="alignnone" width="412"] Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State[/caption] It wondered why Rivers Police Commissioner Mbu Joseph Mbu, who provided cover for the five renegade lawmakers to attack the House while failing to provide security for the House to sit, and the le...

Port Harcourt - The Police in Rivers on Wednesday declared the Leader of the state House of Assembly, Mr. Chidi Lloyd, wanted in connection with the July 9 crisis in the assembly. The Police Public Relations Officer of the command (PPRO), Mrs. Angela Agabe, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt that Lloyd, the lawmaker representing Emohua constituency in the assembly, was wanted over alleged conspiracy, attempted murder, wounding, and willful damage. She said that the lawmaker was last seen in the assembly on July 9, and that he failed to respond to police invitation, which she explained, elapsed on July 15. ``The Rivers State Police Command has declared wanted, one honourable Chidi Lloyd, a native of Emohua, in Emohua Local Government Area, Rivers State. ``About 37 years of age, he is the Majority Leader of the Rivers House of Assembly. He was involved in a case of conspiracy, attempted murder, wounding, and willful damage on the 9th of July 2013. ``The crime is being...

BY EGUFE  YAFUGBORHI  & DOTUN IBIWOYE THE mayhem on the floor of the House of Assembly in Rivers  State last Tuesday had been brewing since April, following the shock displacement and replacement at the state Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Executive Council. Ahead of the 2015 elections, the state was faced with imminent crises on many fronts. One is the Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and President Goodluck Jonathan face-off over the former’s alleged interest in occupying a position in Aso Rock in 2015, an ambition that can hurt Jonathan’s yet to be declared plan to retain his seat. [caption id="attachment_402954" align="alignnone" width="412"] Hon Evan Bapakaye at loggerheads with a Mobile Police Officer at the Rivers State House of Assembly during the Crisis that Rocked the House. Photo: Nwankpa Chijioke[/caption] There is also the battle for the control of Rivers PDP between Amaechi and Minister of State (Education), Mr. Nyesom Wike, who is said t...

BY DAPO AKINREFON NOBEL LAUREATE, Professor Wole Soyinka has condemned the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State saying that democratic grounds are being eroded in the state. Soyinka, also took a swipe at the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan for her over bearing tendencies just as he said President Goodluck Jonathan should call her to order. Professor Soyinka said this at a state of the nation address,  Thursday in Lagos. [caption id="attachment_178250" align="alignnone" width="420"] *Soyinka[/caption] While he faulted the Presidency for trying to absolve the President from the crisis, he said "the perception out there in the world is that he bears a vicarious liability in the crisis". Besides, he said the indifference exhibited by the President creates an enabling environment for his followers to act on his behalf.