BY George Onah

Port Harcourt — The Ikwerre Traditional Rulers Council, Rivers State, has given its support to the setting up of a panel to probe the 2011 post-election violence in some parts of the North, saying that the souls of those who died in the violence must not go in vain.

Chairman of the council, King Frank Eke, told newsmen in Port Harcourt, yesterday, that President Goodluck Jonathan had “placated the feelings of the families of those who died in the violence by setting up the 22-man panel.”
King Eke said the trust of the people now laid on the panel to “discharge its duties without fear or favour so as to assuage the pains of the bereaved and to serve as a deterrent to law breakers.

“There is leadership in Nigeria and we respect and accept the leadership of president and vice president-elect, Dr.  Jonathan and Namadi Sambo respectively, for their prompt action in checking brigandage in our body polity.”

The council also mourned with the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu, over the loss of his wife, saying that the hearts of the council go out to him and the entire family as well as the people of Benue State and the nation.

“We wish to hold your hands at this time and tell you to take heart, that you are not alone in this period as you mourn the loss of a very important and substantial part of you,” they said.