MOSOP Condemns Attack On Senator Lee Maeba’s Port Harcourt Home
…… wonder why Ogonis are targeted
…… warns of mass action if not stopped forthwith
The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People, MOSOP, has expressed outrage and condemns in strong terms the reported invasion December 8, 2022 of the Port Harcourt residence of Senator Lee Maeba by sponsored political thugs and widely seen as politically motivated. The attack saw to infliction of bodily harm on his elder brother, Isaac Maeba and wanton destruction of valuable properties including cars. MOSOP has thus branded the raid as callous, primitive, malicious and evidently one too many. That the attack took place in a Port Harcourt highbrow Government Reservation Area (GRA) in broad daylight, at about 9am, and at close proximity to state security outfits without any response, is perplexing. That about two police operatives reportedly arrived the scene just after the attackers had left, is also worrisome, suspicious and inconceivably unprofessional.
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We recall that between August and now or thereabout, Ogoni politicians not belonging to the PDP and also those in the PDP perceived and labelled “splinter group” have suffered intense and needless attacks in a violent, extremist partisan campaign targeting Ogoni. MOSOP has thus warned that there is limit to endurance hence government must curb the menace so as to discourage citizens from seeking self-help.
Speaking in Port Harcourt today, the President of MOSOP, Prince Biira said:
“We condemn the statement credited to the Rivers State Government dismissing the attack as stage managed by the victim, Senator Lee Maeba. This position of government smacks of insensitivity, heartlessness and justifies trending view that the escalating politically induced violence is state sponsored. While we would not wish such bestial violence on even an enemy, we are disappointedly unamused by the respective response of the Rivers State Government and the State Police Command to the criminal act of savagery. That the attacks are happening ceaselessly to only perceived opponents of some emperors and under the watchful eyes of the state government and the security agencies in the face of outcries and condemnations yet nothing happens speak volumes especially relating to complicity or otherwise”.
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“Prior to the reported incident, there have been several inciting and violent utterances made by some pronounced state officials threatening mayhem against political opponents without any iota of recourse to caution. There have also been instances where identified local government officials have led hoodlums to mutilate and destroy posters and billboards of candidates of rival political parties; disrupted electioneering activities of contending political platforms. All these have been reportedly perpetrated by those believed to be members and supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state without any consequence. In all these, there have been no visible effort to by the state government and the security agencies to maintain law and order “.
“We recall that on November 14, 2022, the SDP governorship candidate, Senator Magnus Abe and his supporters were harassed and assaulted at Egberu, the hometown of Rivers PDP chairman, Ambassador Desmond Akawor. The PDP chairman was not only fingered in that incident but also, his personal assistant was accused of leading the thugs that carried out the attack wielding sophisticated guns and other dangerous weapons in the presence of security operatives. On November 16, Senator Magnus Abe and his team were similarly attacked at Okrika waterfront in Port Harcourt. Up till today, no one has been reported to have been arrested in connection with the incidents.”
“Aside the point that the incidents smacks of desperation by the emperors in the PDP to retain power in the state at all cost, we are sure that democratic civility is predicted on civil decency involving tolerance and unhindered access to democratic participation. Hence do-or-die approaches in dealing with political rivalry are intolerable in a democracy”.
We are proud to say without fear that Ogoni was one of the communities in Nigeria that fought and secured rebirth of democracy in the country. And Ogoni suffered great losses for its involvement. We are certain that communities of these emperors were not involved in the struggle. Hence we are unable to understand why our people are marked for this bestial inclination. If the idea is to intimidate and squeeze us to submission, then the masterminds have miscalculated. It has to be realized that no amount of intimidation, not even death will sway us otherwise.
We would reiterate that the beauty of democracy is expressible in accommodation, participation and competition hence those with the right credentials and agenda for the people, irrespective of whether one likes one’s face or not, whether rebellious or an enemy, must be allowed to market themselves and their manifestos to the electorate. The spate of violence, no doubt, threatens the political transition process and should be condemned by all.
We are therefore calling on all well-meaning citizens and residents of the state to rise and resist all attempts at frustrating the cause of fair political transition in 2023. It has to be recognized that if you do not speak out now, when they will come for you, there will be no one left to speak or defend you.
For those behind the attacks, enough is enough.
Signed:
Prince Biira
MOSOP PRESIDENT
9 DECEMBER, 2022
