Former governor of Rivers State, Dr. Peter Odili, yesterday denied allegations that he and some others in the state sponsored Mr. Ateke Tom to perpetrate violence in Okrika, Rivers State
Odili, and former Minister of Transport, Dr Abiye Sekibo, were named in an affidavit by Chief Nemi Iyalla Oputiyeba, Amanyanabo of Koniju Town in Okrika, as alleged sponsors of the cult group led by Ateke, which has been responsible for the killings and hostage-takings in the state.
THISDAY had yesterday reported the allegation quoting the affidavit filed last week by the state government at the State High Court in Suit No PH/75/2008 CR.
But in a statement issued by Odili�s Media Adviser, Mr. Emma Okah, the former governor said the allegations were unfounded and orchestrated by desperate persons who do not mean well for him.
“I want to state emphatically that since I was born, I have never given anybody a kobo to induce or facilitate violence and could not have sponsored Ateke Tom or any other person in any way to promote violence”, he said, noting that the allegations by Oputiyeba who is in detention and standing criminal trial �are sponsored fabrications by some persons to score a cheap political milestone”.
The former governor noted that much as he did not want to take issues with anybody on baseless allegations, it was important to challenge anybody who has any concrete evidence of his involvement in violence, militancy or cultism before or during his tenure as governor to put the facts forward for the public to judge.
Odili said as a man of peace, his administration was reputed to have given massive assistance to the police and security agencies in the state, a record none of his colleagues could match.
He said it would be contradictory for him to support the police and these agencies on the one hand and also defeat his patriotic efforts on the other, noting: “it would have amounted to blowing hot and cold at the same time”.
Former Chairman of the Peace and Reconciliation Committee in the state, Sir Alaye Eremie, also denied sponsoring the Ateke-led militant group.
In a statement made available to THISDAY in Port Harcourt, Eremie said he only worked on how to restore peace in the state and limited his interaction with the wanted leader of the Niger Delta Vigilante Movement (NDVM), Ateke, to restoring peace in Okrika.
Eremie said his position in the Reconciliation Committee during Odili�s regime continued when the deposed governor of the state, Sir Celestine Omehia, appointed him as a member of the Peace and Rehabilitation Committee he set up during his tenure, explaining that it was in that capacity that he met with militants.
“The duty was to have dialogue with all militant and cult groups and that Ateke Tom being leader of a group was contacted and dialogue held with him and many other restive youths on how to restore peace and tranquility in Okirika and Rivers State at large.
“I am yet to believe that the publication actually quoted the Koniju monarch correctly, because Ateke Tom never worked with me as purportedly said. I am saying this that as a member of Peace and Rehabilitation Committee I have contact with Ateke Tom in consonance with my duties. I was never associated with him in any other manner.
�It will amount to cheap blackmail, if anyone attempts to soil my hardearned image by reading any other meaning into the publication,� he said.
Jan292008