The Global Amnesty Watch International (GAWI) has condemned in strong terms the cowardly assassination attempts against the Deputy Spokesman of the House of Representatives, Dr. Philip Agbese while on a routine Easter visit to his constituents in
Igumale, Ado Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue state.
Dr. Philip Agbese who is fondly christened the Enone Chief Servant, is a House of Representatives member, representing the good people of Ado, Okpogwu and Ogbadibo LGAs in Benue state.
In a tersely worded press release signed and distributed to journalists in Abuja by Rev. Solomon Semaka, the Country representative of GAWI, a copy of which was given to Blueprint correspondent, the group described the assassination attempt as a cowardly act masterminded by desperate politician bent on subverting the will of the people.
The release read in part, “GAWI, in very strong terms condemn the assassination attempt on Dr Philip Agbese by persons widely believed to be hired assassins during an Easter tour of his constituency to interface and consult with his constituents as is expected of every lawmaker.
“We view this act of political desperation as crude, primitive, retrogressive and despicable. It is particularly worrisome, that preliminary report have indicted some local political neophytes, including Mrs. Lamin Ogenyi, the Deputy Speaker, Benue State House of Assembly and Mr. Agbese Onazi, the Caretaker Chairman, Ado Local Government Area in the evil act.
“The sheer desperation exhibited by these barbaric humans in pursuit of political supremacy is chilling and unbecoming of a civilised society. Instead of attracting development to their constituency to rival Dr. Agbese, these clowns have resorted to violence as a way of establishing relevance. The people of Ado and indeed Nigerians do not need violence and the cowardly conduct of Mrs. Lamin Ogenyi, Mr. Onazi Agbese which has obviously monstrously polluted our political space must not be allowed to go unpunished.”
To forestall further occurrences and to prevent the re-introduction of violence in our political landscape, the group called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Director General, Department of State Security Services (DSS) to arrest, interrogate and bring to book all those directly and remotely involved in the despicable act.
“As law abiding citizens, we submit to the authority of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) under the leadership of the IGP and strongly believe that the attackers of Dr. Philip Agbese and their accomplices will be brought to book. It is also our conviction that the DSS will act accordingly and provide the necessary intelligence. Anything short of that is unacceptable and will not be tolerated by we meaning Nigerians,” the statement added.
While pledging to deploy all legal arsenals within it reach to pursue the matter to a logical conclusion, including the prosecution of culprit, GAWI called on the Deputy Speaker, Benue State House of Assembly, Mrs. Lamin Ogenyi and the Caretaker Chairman, Ado Local Government Area who are being fingered in the debacle “to come clean on their alleged involvement in the assassination attempt on the life of Dr. Agbese who is excellently serving the people of ENONE and the country at large and stop dragging him into needless local power tussles that have no positive value to his constituents”.
The release concluded by extolling the political charisma of the congressman who has become the sad victim of a political culture that is alien to him and warned opportunist to desist from heating the polity.
“Hon. Dr. Philip Agbese, for the umpteenth time remains above partisan pettiness and primitive politics in whatever form and is commited to reviving the hopes of the people beyond the reach of desperate opportunist seeking local political relevance. Wiithout prejudice to the overblown and over bloated egos of inconsequential opportunist, the gentleman will continue to unite and develop his people”, the statement concluded.
