Amaechi Blocked From Entering His Office

RIVERS State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, was, on Thursday night, prevented from entering the Government House, as men of the state police command blocked him and several visitors with him from entering through his usual route to his residence.

Governor Amaechi was said to have gone on a tour of projects with some dignitaries who had visited him, mostly former speakers of state houses of assembly and was returning to the Government House at about some minutes past 7.00 p.m.

A source, who was in the governor’s convoy when the incident occurred, said Amaechi and his guests could not access the Forces Avenue route to the back entrance, his usual route to the premises, and discovered that the place had been barricaded by armed policemen.

According to the source, who preferred anonymity, “we were returning from project inspection, Oga (Governor Amaechi) had taken some former speakers of state houses of assembly who are on visit to see some of our projects. But as we returned and got to the entrance, we discovered that policemen had blocked the access.

“Some of the visitors were even begging them to allow the man into his residence, but they refused. This lasted more than 30 minutes, after which we had to turn round to go take the main entrance into 105 (office complex of the Government House).”

Commenting on the development, the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Ibim Semenitari, condemned it, describing it as height of impunity and most unacceptable to the Rivers State government.

“This is impunity in its worst form, it is unthinkable and the Rivers State government finds it unacceptable.

“It is an affront on democracy, an attack on the office and the person of the governor of Rivers State. It beats all imagination and reason. Rivers State government condemns this,” she said.

When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mrs Angela Angela Agabe, said she had heard of the incident.

She said the police had to barricade Forces Avenue for security reasons, because of the secretariat of the New Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that was opened there today (Thursday) by the Abubakar Kawu Baraje -led faction of PDP in the state.

She said the police had to block the road to ensure there was no breakdown of law and order.

“The governor has other routes to get to the Government House. So, I don’t see how this should be an issue,” Agabe said.