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 of Benue.
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 Local Government Areas in Benue State.
In a statement signed and distributed to journalists in Abuja by Rev. Solomon Semaka, the Country representative of GAWI, 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 reports have indicted some local political neophytes.
“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.
“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.
“GAWI pledged to deploy all legal arsenals within its reach to pursue the matter to a logical conclusion, including the prosecution of culprit.
“We conclude 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 opportunists 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 committed to reviving the hopes of the people beyond the reach of desperate opportunists seeking local political relevance.
“Without prejudice to the overblown and over-bloated egos of inconsequential opportunists, the gentleman will continue to unite and develop his people”, the group stated.