SOUTH EAST Governors Forum has condemned the attack, last week, in Imo State on the convoy of the Senate President, Senator David Mark, describing same as a wicked act.
Abia state Governor, Chief Theodore Orji who is also Chairman of the South East Governors’ Forum has roundly condemned the attack on the convoy of the senate president in Imo state on Friday, describing it as wicked and unfortunate.
Recall that the Nigerian Senate President David Mark on Friday escaped an attack by gunmen in Orlu area of Imo State, just as reports say the gunmen specifically targeted the vehicle which the Senate President was expected to enter.
Although no life was lost in the attack, the Senate President was on his way to the burial ceremony of late business mogul, Sir John Richard Anyaehie in Nkwerre Community in Imo State.
While answering questions from newsmen over the incident in Umuahia, Governor Orji said he received the news of the attack with shock, adding that it was saddening that it happened in the South East.
The Governor said the armed attack was disturbing and will not be tolerated and called on security agencies to thoroughly investigate the matter with a view to bringing the culprits to book.
He asserted that the incident should be an eye opener of what is to happen between now and 2015 when election takes place and called on Nigerians especially the South East zone to be vigilant and do everything to enhance peace.
The Governor called on Nigerians to conduct themselves in a disciplined manner to ensure that the coming election is peacefully and freely conducted ,adding that cooperation should exist in the country.
He said that the senate president as the number three citizen of the country is free to go to anywhere he likes without molestation and wondered why anyone would attack him.
He ruled out the possibility that the attack is from the Boko Haram.
“I received the information with shock. It is unfortunate and I want to encourage the Senate President that he should not be deterred.
“It is unfortunate that this type of thing is happening in our zone and we entirely condemn the act. It is a wicked act that cannot be tolerated.
and I hereby, call on security agencies to sit up and investigate this with a view to apprehending the culprits and bring them to book.
“But these people should realise that they don’t have monopoly of violence. Every person should be a disciplined citizen. You don’t just intimidate people by being a criminal; and this is an eye-opener to many people of what is going to happen between now and 2015.
“Therefore, Nigerians should be alert. We don’t want violence in this country. We don’t want something that will lead to the killing of innocent people. We don’t want that. Let us at least conduct this election friendly and fairly, so that those chosen by the people will emerge. We want the corporate existence of the country. We don’t want anything that will disunite us.”
