The Rivers State Governor, Siminalaya Fubara, on Thursday insisted that there was no political crisis in his State. This is even on the heels of the political crisis in the State just within the week.
Fubara stated that the narrative about the political crisis in the State was not the true picture.
This was contained in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Nelson Chukwudi on Thursday.
The Governor made the remark while speaking to some newsmen in Egbelu Community. He was in the community to inspect the progress of work on the 14.6km Omodu-Eberi Road project in Omuma Local Government Area.
He said “And to also tell Nigerians that Rivers State is peaceful. You can see that we are moving about inspecting projects. This is as against what you see on the screens of your television sets that police are everywhere. That we don’t move about anymore, and that Rivers State is under siege.
“We are not under siege. Our State is free and peaceful. If at all there is any problem in any part of the State, I know quite well that Nigerians know where the problem is coming from, not from us.”
“We are a peace-loving people. It is already written all over us. Our actions and our deeds have confirmed that we are peace-loving people.
“We will continue to maintain the peace, that we promised everyone, for the betterment of the good people of Rivers State.”
In a related development, the President of the Ijaw National Congress, INC, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, aligned with the Governor’s view.
The INC President disagreed with the position of the IG that policemen would continue to man the LG secretariats.
Okaba said “The IG directive that the police should be there, well maybe from one point of view. You could say that the police have no business barricading the place particularly now that the Governor has put in place a caretaker committee. Which, though not in the constitution is almost a norm in Nigeria. Other States have done the same thing as an interim measure before elections are conducted into councils.
“Yes, again, this is why we have been talking about the independence of the police. The Constitution says the Governor is the Chief Security Officer of the place. The Commissioner of Police should have taken orders from the Governor. Now he is taking orders from the IG. Which again, defines the kind of democracy and separation of powers we operate in this country.
“So, in all, it is a misnomer, which is almost becoming a norm in the country we find ourselves. I feel we should be very careful with what is going on.
“It is very provocative if not properly managed. It can lead to bloodshed and all of that. And those are the things I have warned against. So, it is now left for stakeholders at the State and Federal levels to sit down together. And look for a way out of all of this mess. I call it a very messy situation.
“If you barricade the Councils and all that, the Governor can institute any place and make it an office of the Council. He can even create Council areas within the Government House. So, this show of force does not stop the Governor from going ahead to do what he wants to do.”
source: PUNCH
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