Posted by By Alloy Khenom and Felicia Jaja on
Workers at the Rivers State secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) along Moscow Road in Port Harcourt may have been frightened seriously
Workers at the Rivers State secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) along Moscow Road in Port Harcourt may have been frightened seriously in the morning of Tuesday March 29, 005 when the-man-of-the-moment, Alhaji Asari Dokubo suddenly barricaded the gates into the offices with his large followers.
Also caught in the early grip were residents and people doing businesses along the ever-busy road which also harbours important offices like the NNPC and headquarters of the state police command.
There was no prior notice to the arrival of the leader of the Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force (NDPVF) which made his appearance particularly, with such a large flock more chilling and cautious.
Dressed in his usual sleeveless T-Shirt on black trousers with white bandala tied round the head, Alhaji Dokubo led the crowd who sang in low tune into the premises of the journalists.
While they approached, workers and residents around the vicinity including passers-by were visibly seen dodging into every available space for safety, thinking it was a riot.
But, our reporters who recognized the (once) brave warlord of the creeks, moved courageously towards him and discovered he was harmless.
In an interview, he told us that he was billed for a meeting with officials of Government House on the Tuesday, but was surprised to find an empty house on arrival at the appointed hour.
He said it was the action by government house which led him to the NUJ in attempt to make public his experience and opinion.
Asari emphasized the need for understanding to consolidate the peace achieved and presently enjoyed in the state.
He re-emphasized that those fanning trouble were mostly non-indigenes of Rivers State who lost nothing (humanly and materially during the last crisis and shall also lose nothing in the event of further disturbances, and, therefore want Rivers State to remain a war front for their benefit.
The NDPVF leader also spoke about other issues aimed at moving the state forward, even as he took a swipe at some top government functionaries.