Rivers crisis: Ex-presidential aspirant sues for peace

A former presidential aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, Tein Jack-Rich, on Wednesday, called for calm in the wake of Monday’s attack on the Rivers State House of Assembly.

Jack-Rich also called on political leaders in the state to sheath their swords and ensure that the crisis did not escalate to a stage where it could not be managed.

The assembly complex was set ablaze by suspected political thugs on Sunday, following a threat by the lawmakers to commence impeachment proceedings against the Leader of the House, Edison Ehie, and Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

”At the early hours of October 30, 2023, I received multiple calls and reports of an immense attack and the desecration of Rivers State House of Assembly, being the beacon of democracy.

”It is important to understand that keeping the temple of our democracy is a sacred oath we all took as political actors, irrespective of class.

”Therefore, any tendency to attack the legislature or hijack is not for anyone’s security, rather a display of political weakness,” the politician said in a statement made available to our correspondent in Abuja.

According to him, when the legislature comes under attack anywhere in the world, democracy is threatened.

”We cannot afford to sacrifice the peace of the democratic journey on the altar of fear of dictatorship or authoritarianism.

”My appeal is peace, and for Rivers State to be allowed to key into President Bola Tinubu’s administration at the federal level to take advantage of its economic master plan,” he added.