The Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned last Monday’s callous murder of Mr. Sabinus Ordu, cousin of Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, in his hometown, Ubima in Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state. Describing the incident as “a most shocking tragedy,” the party said that “the way and manner in which his body was mutilated was most brutal, inhuman and condemnable.”

Continuing, Rivers APC in a statement issued in Port Harcourt by the Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, said: “What could be the reason or reasons why Mr. Ordu was killed in such a horrendous manner? Whatever it is, it is not acceptable to us as a peace-loving party. If the reason why he was subjected to this most inhuman death is the fact that he was related to Governor Amaechi, then we can only tremble as to what those behind this dastardly crime are planning as we enter the crucial election year 2015. As Vice Principal of Community Secondary School, Aluu, also in Ikwerre Local Government Area of the State, and a humble hunter, Mr. Ordu was a peace-loving man who had no political ambition and did not engage in shady business dealings. He could, therefore, not have stepped on any toes so as to warrant such a gruesome death.

“While still grieving over the needless wasting of Mr. Ordu, we have also learnt of the assassination attempt on the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Sampson Parker, by some hoodlums during the sanitation exercise for the prevention of Ebola virus embarked upon by the Ministry of Health at Abua Central in Abua/Odua Local Government of Rivers State.

“According to report, Dr Parker, who was on tour of the 23 LGAs of the state, on an Ebola Virus Disease’s (EVD’s) enlightenment campaign, witnessed a horrifying scene at Abua Central, as gunmen believed to have been hired by a political group championing the governorship ambition of a serving minister, freely fired AK-47 rifles at the crowd that gathered to receive the Health Commissioner and his team.

“These are ominous signs as we approach the very crucial elections that will finally nail the coffin of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as a political party in Rivers State considering the shame and hardship the party has brought upon the people of the state.

“It is a pity that all these are happening when a new Commissioner of Police, Mr. Dan Bature, is yet to settle down in the state. We urge him, knowing his background as a thoroughbred police officer, not to relent until those behind these evils in our state are fished out and punished accordingly.

“As we plead for calm, we wish to, at the same time, advise those trying to make Rivers State insecure and ungovernable to have a change of heart. We wish to warn such misguided elements that any attempt to return the State to the evil days prior to the coming of Governor Amaechi, who swiftly restored normalcy upon his assumption of office in 2007, will be an exercise in futility as Rivers State people are in a position to ensure that those associated with violence do not come near power again in the state.

“Finally, we congratulate the out-going Rivers State Police Commissioner, Tunde Ogunsakin, upon his promotion to the rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG). He obviously merits his new rank based on the fact that he had discharged his duties as a professional police officer since he assumed office on February 12, 2014 in Rivers State – unlike his predecessor, Mr. Joseph Mbu, who does not merit such a promotion based on his unprofessional acts as a police officer. We wish AIG Ogunsakin better days in the Nigeria Police Force even as we wholeheartedly welcome ComPol Bature to our state and wish him a successful reign as Police Commissioner.”

•Photo shows CP Dan Bature (L) in a warm handshake with Ag. IGP Suleiman Abba.

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