House: Lawmakers Condemn Attacks On Senators Abe, Ndume
.
.
.
Say use of chemical weapons unacceptable BEVERLY HILLS, CA, January 15, (THEWILL) - Some members of the House of Representatives have condemned the alleged shooting of Senator Magnus Abe and attack on Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume last weekend.
While Senator Abe was shot in Rivers State on Sunday during a rally of Save Rivers Movement at Obio/Akpor Local Council of the State, Senator Ndume's convoy was reportedly "mistakenly" bombed same day by an Air Force fighter jet on his way to his country home in Gwoza, Borno State.
House Minority Leader, Hon.
Femi Gbajabiamila, who derided the police for use of "chemical weapons" on citizens, noted that tear gas is a chemical, hence the word gas.
"The use of chemical weapons against one's own citizens (or anyone for that matter) is unacceptable and is why the world is up in arms against Syria," he said .
He argued that obtaining police permit for a rally was not a constitutional condition, saying a Supreme Court judgment delivered years ago concerning the matter has vindicated those holding rallies without permit.
He said "The Supreme Court years ago ruled that Police permit is not required for a rally.
So all this talk from the Rivers State Commissioner of Police about permit is balderdash.
"Reprisals and public order also have internationally acceptable standards.
The world needs to pay attention to this inhumane treatment of innocent citizens.
" Meanwhile, Chairman House Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), Dakuku Peterside (APC Rivers State), has condemned the Sunday attacks on Senator Abe and Senator Ndume.
Peterside, who described the two separate attacks as " the height of impunity and lawlessness," said both the Presidency and the Rivers State Police Commissioner, Mbu, will eventually pay for their sins as they cannot get away with such levels of impunity.
While condemning the shooting of Senator Abe, the lawmaker said: "First, I have been consistent that all Nigerians must rise up and condemn what has happened in Rivers State.
Because it an abuse on our right to freedom of association, our right to freedom of movement and our right to hold political views and opinions.
"Like I said, today, it is Rivers State they will be strengthened if nothing is done.
You may have noticed that before now, all of these is directed against Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi who holds a different view from those in the Presidency.
"They've gone to lengths to ensure that he's brought to his kneels, but with the support of the Rivers people and God almighty, he has shown that he can speak truth to power; he has shown that we deepen democracy when we stand up for the people.
"And so, we are not surprised that impunity and lawlessness has been taken to this height by the Presidency and the Mbu-led Rivers Police Command, but we are certain they will not get away with it.
This is the height of it, they certainly will not get away with it.
" He said the two events that happened on Sunday signposts that there's danger in the days ahead.
"It signposts that there is danger in the days ahead and that Nigerians must rise up and fight for the sustenance of democracy, our hard- earned democracy.
"PDP has shown that it is a party that cannot be trusted, that would continue with a culture of impunity.
PDP has shown that it does not mean well for Nigerian people and it has frittered away our resources in the years of President Jonathan's presidency.
And so, Nigerians do not expect anything serious from the current leadership of the country.
By Saint Mugaga, Abuja