Supporters and fans of the former Governor of Rivers State, Dr. Peter Odili, appear to have abandoned their boss who is now battling to save his name and protect his political future, following sustained allegations that he was responsible for the cult crisis in the state.
Saturday Independent even learnt on Thursday that Odili and Abiye Sekibo, who have been linked to the killing of Marshal Harry might face prosecution by the state government if it is established that they actually played a role in the former politician’s death.
Already, the Commission has ordered erstwhile governor Celestine Omehia and Sir Austin Opara, former Deputy Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives to appear before it next week at the Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Abuja.
Sources said Odili was personally worried that virtually all those who benefited from him during his eight-year reign were nowhere to defend him during his trying times, moreso as his name continued to ring at the Commission.
It was gathered that a solidarity rally that was planned by some die-hard supporters of the former governor could not hold because most of those who were mobilised to take part in the show refused to turn up.
Just as the former governor’s supporters are abandoning him, Odili himself may have opted to give his evidence in Abuja for fear of attacks in the state capital. Sources said the former governor has been very uncomfortable since the public hearing started.
Apart from Odili, Sekibo is also to give evidence in Abuja. But there has been heightened fear that the duo may eventually face prosecution.
The thinking has been that if incumbent governor, Rotimi Amaechi could probe the cult crisis in the state and by extension past killings through the Commission, he would stop at nothing to punish those that may be found wanting.
Ahead of Tuesday when Odili is expected to give evidence, the Action Congress (AC) has already opposed the idea of allowing him to testify outside Port Harcourt.
Secretary of the party in the state, Okis Bob-Manuel, said on Thursday that “it beats our imagination therefore the idea that the two alleged key actors (Dr. Peter Odili and Dr. Abiye Sekibo) in these unfortunate incidents in our dear state are now afraid to testify before the commission in Port Harcourt but instead will like to testify in Abuja.
“If the testimonies of those that have testified so far before the RSTRC are anything to go by, it becomes imperative and advisable that these two alleged key actors in the institution of cultism, militancy, mayhem, bloodshed and other inhuman acts perpetuated in Rivers State in the name of politics where sanctity of human lives means nothing, should be made to come to Port Harcourt.
“We are not in support of the Rivers State Truth and Reconciliation Commission moving to Abuja in order to take the testimonies of both Odili and Sekibo as we consider that as waste of public funds and given undue and unsolicited coverage to the established enemies of our people if the reports we have so far are anything to go by.”
Eso, who gave the oral summon to Omehia and Opara on Friday disclosed that their invitation to appear before the Commission as it relocates its public hearing to Abuja was due to the discovery that both Omehia and Opara could not be traced to anywhere in Rivers State. Also, he said the Commission could not locate the private residence of both politicians, even in the capital territory.
His words; “We have also been told that Omehia is in Abuja, but we have not been able to get his address. But let this announcement serve as invitation to Omehia and Austin Opara to appear before the Commission at the Sheraton Hotel, Abuja”.
He said spectators were free to come and observe the proceedings. Eso said the Commission had suspended its sitting in Port Harcourt from Monday 16 June 2008 till June 23. During the period, the former jurist announced further that the Commission would continue its work by hearing from those who were either afraid to come to Port Harcourt and give testimonies, because fear of their security or could not do so due to other reasons.
He said the Commission’s sitting in Rivers would resume on June 23, 2008.
Odili, Sekibo, Opara, Omehia, militia leader, Ateke Tom and a dozen of others appear to be amongst the group of persons who feel insecure within the territories of their home state.
Eso said even though the commission has the powers to subpoena, it avoided using same, because it did not want to run into any controversies that were capable of dragging it back from its desired goals.
“We have power to subpoena, but we are aware from experience that subpoena can generate controversies. Rather than go into this to stall the Commission’s mission, we resolved to go there. Human Rights demand that we should give people fair hearing. This is done when you ask people to state their side”, said Justice Eso. The commission, on Friday shifted issues and testimonies from the Okrika speaking part of the state to Ogoni axis, when it opened the floor with President Ogoni Block, Mr Daniel Nekaa who blamed the crisis in Ogoni area and other parts of the region on the failure of government to live up to its responsibilities.
The Ogoni youth activists said, “Government’s failure to adequately take care of problems in the region caused the people to express their grievance through cultism and violence. There is the need for a practical approach to make the people benefit from government”.