APC berates security agencies over Rivers’ killing

The All Progressives Congress (APC) says security agencies in Rivers State should take responsibility for the recent killing of its chieftain in the state.
The Deputy Chairman (South) of the party, Chief Segun Oni, said this in Abuja on Tuesday while briefing newsmen at the end of a special session of the National Working Committee (NWC).
It would be recalled that some yet-to-be-identified gunmen invaded the house of the chieftain of the party, Mr Franklin Obi, killing him alongside his wife and son, on Sunday.
Oni, a former governor of Ekiti and APC Acting National Chairman until Friday, also berated newsmen for under-reporting the event.
He stressed that such atrocities should not be swept under the carpet.
“The media did not give adequate reportage of the attacks against members of the APC in Rivers State and other places.
“The security agencies should rise and stem the tide of violence in the state.
“The police and other security agencies should take responsibility for what is happening in Rivers State.
“This is a very serious issue and you as members of the press should see what is happening as real emergency that should not be treated with kid gloves,’’ he said.
The APC chieftain said that the special session of the NWC was convened for ‘immortalisation’ of the late Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Mr James Ocholi.
Ocholi died on Sunday in a car crash along Kaduna-Abuja highways alongside his wife and second son.
In his tribute, the National Vice-Chairman (South-South), Mr Hillard Etta, described Ocholi as a “perfect gentle man’’.
“You could smell his humility miles away. He was one of the most approachable ministers in the cabinet,’’ he said.
Also speaking, the APC National Secretary, Alhaji Mai Mala Buni, said the late minister lived a fulfilled life and was a committed party member.
“His demise was a great loss to this party, this nation and the people of Kogi.
“We must take solace in the fact that death is inevitable and one thing that cannot be predicted.
“We as a party must do everything possible to ensure that Ocholi is properly immortalised,’’ he said.
The APC National Organising Secretary, Sen. Ozita Izunaso, going down memory lane disclosed that most of the things in the party’s constitution were made possible by the late minister.
He recalled that Ocholi administered the oath of office on the present NWC members.