Rivers Gov’t: We’ll Hold Oshiomhole, Sylva Responsible If Anything Happens To Peter Odili, Family

The Rivers State Government, on Wednesday, said it would hold APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, and state petroleum minister, Timipre Sylva, responsible should any harm befall the family of Peter Odili, a former governor of the state.

The Rivers government issued the warning after suspected APC supporters allegedly attacked Odili’s residence in Abuja following the Supreme Court’s sacking of David Lyon as Bayelsa state governor-elect last week.

Lyon was the candidate of the APC in the November 16 Bayelsa governorship election. INEC had declared him governor-elect of the state until the Supreme Court nullified his election barely 24 hours to his inauguration as governor.

THE WHISTLER reported how a five-man panel led by Peter Odili’s wife, Justice Mary Odili, nullified Lyon’s election for fielding a running mate with forged certificates.

The ruling was said to have prompted supporters of the APC to attack the Abuja residence of the Odilis in a bid to intimidate the Supreme Court judge to reverse the verdict.

But at an executive council meeting held on Wednesday, the Rivers State Government condemned the alleged activities of the “sponsored” APC supporters.

The Rivers government said it observed that, “the Federal Government seems not to show interest in the sponsored threats to the lives of Dr Peter Odili and members of his family.”

A statement issued by the state’s commissioner for information and communication, Paulinus Nsirim,  said the council “wondered why Dr Peter Odili’s family should be singled out for the unwarranted attack,  when the judgment that ousted David Lyon as Governor of Bayelsa State was a unanimous decision of a five-member  panel of Supreme Court Justices.

According to Nsirim, the council, “warns the Minister of State for Petroleum,  Chief Timipre Sylva and the National Chairman of APC,  Adams Oshiomhole and their hired agents to desist from the sponsorship of violent attacks against Dr Peter Odili and members of his family.

“That the Rivers State Executive Council noted that in the past Rivers State suffered unfavourable Judicial Pronouncements and never resorted to self help as being promoted by APC Leaders in the case of Bayelsa State.”

The Rivers government further vowed to employ every legal means to protect Odili and members of his family, adding that it would also protect Indigenes of the state who are serving Federal and State  Judicial officers .

“That the Rivers State Government warns that should this harassment  and intimidation  continue,  it will have no alternative  than to retaliate,” said the government, adding that it “will defend the lives and property of Rivers people at all times.”