Should the NLC embark on another strike to protest the fuel price hike?
...Ngige Petitions IG, Threatens Mass Action
� � PDP: We have no say on emergency declaration From Chuks Okocha in Abuja and Emmanuel Ugwu in Enugu, 11.11.2004
Anambra State governor, Dr. Chris Ngige, yesterday warned that if the police failed to stop the hoodlums wrecking violence on people and public properties in the state, he would be forced to call on the people to forcefully repel the attack. But the governor's political party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) responding to calls for the imposition of emergency rule in the state said it has no constitutional powers to recommend emergency rule in any part of the country. Ngige in a petition to the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Tafa Balogun, yesterday threatened that "if this ugly situation persists, as it is, I will have no option than to let them rise up and chase away these hoodlums and imported thugs if the Nigerian police cannot live up to their responsibilities." In the petition dated November 10, the governor blamed the renewed violence in the state on the faction of the PDP led by Chief Chris Uba. The petition reads in part: "In the early hours of November 8, 2004 some men believed to be agents of the Chris Uba led faction of the PDP in the state invaded the Anambra Broadcasting Service Station at Onitsha, destroyed both the transmitter and studio houses and burnt down the entire station. "On the same night, as the arson at Onitsha was taking place, another group of thugs and criminals also believed to be acting on behalf of the Chris Uba led faction of the PDP in Anambra State equally invaded ABS Station at Enugwu-Ukwu near Awka, sacked the entire staff, destroyed vehicles belonging to the government and some staff and set the station on fire. "I am also informed that the same group of thugs and criminals invaded the State Independent Electoral Commission headquarters at Awka, chased away the chairman and other staff and set the building ablaze about 12 noon today (Wednesday) with a few policemen standing around. "They equally went to the Government House, Awka harassed and chased away workers and set part of the building ablaze. All these actions were taking place while the police stood and watched. "I am extremely at a loss at this turn of events, more so when my Honourable Commissioner for Special Duties, Sir Chris Atuegwu, had on behalf of the government of Anambra State intimated beforehand the Commissioner of Police of the State Command of these actions as they were being hatched." Ngige said as the chief security officer, he is compelled to "call on (the IG) to do the needful and call upon the Commissioner of Police in the State to arrest this ugly trend as the situation is clearly unacceptable." The PDP in a statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Barrister Venatius Ikem, said it is the prerogative of the President and the National Assembly to decide whether there would be emergency rule in a state. The party, however, insisted that the list it published for the council polls in Anambra State slated for December 18 remains the authentic list. Ikem made the party's position known when the Anambra State PDP Chairman, Chief Uchenna Emordi, led other chieftains to complain that Ngige has ordered the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission not to accept the list from the national headquarters of the party. Ikem said, "The imposition of any state of emergency or emergency rule in any state is not within the purview of the party. It is only within the powers of the President in consultation with the National Assembly." He said the issue of emergency rule is a security matter, which the PDP is not qualified to discuss. On the approved list for the council polls, he said, "there is only one list from PDP and that list is the one signed by the national chairman and secretary. That is the authentic list. We are not aware of any other list." Expressing concerns that the crisis in Anambra could affect the growth of democracy in the country, Ikem warned that the party would deal with members fomenting trouble in the state. He appealed to all concerned parties in the crisis to eschew violence. Earlier, Emordi accused Ngige of having precipitated the crisis. He also accused the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission of rejecting the names of candidates for the December 18 council polls in favour of the governor's cronies. He said Wednesday's mayhem in the state followed the attack by Bakassi Boys on members of the party on their way to a rally flagging off the campaigns in Awka. He said the campaign was duly authorised by the police, which had issued a permit for that purpose. Also in its own reaction, the Anambra State, chapter of Ohanaeze Ndigbo yesterday said war has been foisted on the state and there was need to quench the fire before the state is completely destroyed. While briefing newsmen in Enugu yesterday, the group's chairman, Dr. Dozie Ikedife, decried the level of vandalism and disrespect to the rule of law and exalted public office displayed by the perpetrators of the fresh violence in Anambra State. �This whole act is a clear declaration of war against the people of Anambra State, against Ndigbo. When war is thrown on your lap you will avoid it but if it gets to a time it becomes inevitable,� he said. Ikedife recalled that the crisis in Anambra has been lingering since the 2003 elections but that with the level of destruction wrecked on the state, �the events of today have gone beyond the governor and even gone beyond politics.� �Things happening are no longer revolving around the governor and his government. It is touching on the Igboland, the country and the survival of democracy. It is an insult and assault on Anambra people, on Igbo people and a stab on the solar plexus of Igbo people," he said. The Ohanaeze chieftain said he drove through the streets yesterday morning (Thursday) and observed hundreds of young men at Aloma junction making bonfire with police men standing by and watching the show, apparently telling the mob �take it easy." �The police, it appears, were there for ceremonial purpose,� he said. He noted that the police command in Anambra actually got information about the impending havoc and yet did nothing either to stop it or curtail the mayhem. According to him, the attacks were �well planned and executed with military precision and scientific accuracy.� Meanwhile, the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has accused the police and Obasanjo administration of fomenting crisis in Anambra State. In a statement signed by CNPP Secretary General, Maxi Okwu, the conference said, "the issue is not who done it in the conflicting claims and counter claims between Governor Ngige and his erstwhile political godfather Chris Uba. That this saga has festered for so long is a complete indictment on the PDP and the Federal Government led by Obasanjo." CNPP also accused the police of being partial in the matter because of the partisan interest of the Presidency. The coalition, therefore, called on (President Olusegun) Obasanjo to put his constitutional responsibility and obligation to millions of Anambra State indigenes, above his love for "one inconsequential friend of his." CNPP warned that on no account should a state of emergency be imposed in Anambra State, as it could trigger a cocktail of events, which would notaugur well for the nation and democracy.
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