AN OPEN LETTER TO THE GOVERNOR OF RIVERS STATE, CHIEF NYESOM EZENWO WIKE, CON, GSSRS, POS AFRICA

1st November, 2020

Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON, GSSRS, P.O.S AFRICA
Executive Governor of
Rivers State.

Sir,
OYIBGO LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNCIL CURFEW
A CALL FOR COMPASSION
I condemn in very strong terms the unwarranted and wanton destruction of properties and loss of lives following the outcome of the #Endsarsprotest which was hijacked by some hoodlums and criminal elements in Oyigbo Local Government Area and some other parts of Rivers State. It is quite unfortunate, regrettable and in bad faith.

I also appreciate the Burdern Bearer of Rivers State, His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Rivers State for the prompt action taken to curb the violence in Oyigbo and other parts of Rivers State including the imposition of a 24 hour curfew.

The Curfew in Mile 1, Mile 2, lloabuchi & Rumuokrusi in Port Harcourt City & Obio/Akpo Local Government Area has been relaxed save Ikoku market and Oyigbo Local Government Area which has been on for almost ten days now.

We also appreciate the fact that the curfew has aided in ameliorating the magnitude and spread of violence in these areas leading to the arrest of some of the suspected culprits.

However, we call on the Governor to tamper justice with mercy. We are all aware that the curfew was imposed suddenly on these areas and residents did not have time to stock foodstuff, medicine and other essentials before it’s commencement. There are cries coming out of these areas especially in Oyigbo. Residents have ran out of foodstuffs, medicine and other essentials. Children are hungry, thirsty, sick and restless. The sick and the elderly cannot access basic medicine, care and nursing. His Excellency the people of Oyigbo are in dire straits. Something must be done now to save lives.

We call on our most amiable Governor to as usual show compassion to our dear fellow Rivers indigenes and others resident in Oyigbo Local Government Area. We must not allow majority of our brothers and sisters suffer pain, hardship, havoc and possible death for the sins of a few miscreants.

The maxim ” it is better and safer for nine guilty men to go scot free than for an innocent man to be found guilty for an offence he did not commit”

Let us not allow the innocent majority of Oyigbo residents to be “hanged” for the sins of a misguided few.

Let the Curfew be relaxed in these areas to allow residents stock foodstuffs, medicine and other essentials. We cannot afford more deaths in Rivers State.

I thank you immensely in anticipation of your kind consideration of the above plea.

God bless you Sir.
God bless Rivers State.

S. Long Williams
Governor, EBF.