Pained by the news of the death of a human rights activist and lawyer, Barr. Ken Atsuwete, the Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Rivers State, Bro. Felix Obuah, has said it was a shocker that threw the entire party into deep mourning and grave concern.

“The PDP Chairman condemned the murder of the young, energetic and sound-minded Lawyer, who has over the years contributed significantly to the respect of human rights, the rule of law, social and criminal justice, as well as democracy and good governance in the state,” Obuah's Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Jerry Needam said in a statement issued Tuesday in Port Harcourt.

Bro. Obuah, described Barr. Atsuwete as a “household name in law practice and in civil society activism in the state,” adding: “His death is an unfortunate and incisive cut in the vanguard in defense of democracy and the administration of justice.

“While calling on the police and other security agencies not to leave any stone unturned in unraveling the perpetrators of the dastardly act, the PDP reiterates its consistent appeal to politicians, particularly, Dakuku Peterside, Magnus Abe, Davies Ikanya and other members of the opposition, All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state not to play politics with issues of security, including the senseless killing of Barr. Ken Atsuwete, which is a great loss to all Rivers people.

“Development like this, we believe, should be taken seriously without an injection of an iota of political sentiment or statement as those emanating already from leaders and members in the opposition party, the APC, in the state. It is therefore, our candid view and request that we all put hands on deck to support the various efforts of our performing governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, in tackling issues of insecurity and social vices in the state.

“The PDP heartily sympathise with the family of Barr. Atsuwete and the human rights community, believing that justice will take its course on those responsible for the killing.”

The Rivers State PDP Chairman also appeals to all concerned persons, stakeholders and institutions to allow the Police carry out their investigations into the murder and to do everything to maintain the peace in the state.

Describing Governor Nyesom Wike as a peacemaker and godly man, Bro. Obuah condemned in strong terms APC leaders in the state who have attempted to drag the name of the Governor and the PDP into the barbaric assassination.

He recalled that just on Saturday last week at an APC rally in Etche, “Mr. Dakuku Peterside had made unprintable and inciting comments capable of tearing Rivers State apart.”

He described the APC leaders in Rivers State as “bitter and bad losers who wanted Rivers State scatter, because they lost election.”

Bro. Obuah said “only evil men, like the APC leaders in Rivers State dance naked on graves and politicise death and issues of security.”

•Photo shows assassinatedlawyer and activist Ken Atsuwete.