A faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, known to be loyal to former Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has vehemently opposed the proposition of declaring a state of emergency in the state.
Earlier, Umpirenews reported that the opposition party in Rivers State had called on President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency due to the ongoing political turmoil in the state following the inauguration of Siminalayi Fubara as Governor.
Speaking to the media in Port Harcourt, the state’s capital, on Wednesday, Chief Tony Okocha, the Caretaker Committee Chairman of the APC in Rivers, stated, “Rivers State is currently in a state of conflict. The individuals involved in the violence that has resulted in loss of life are well-known.”
Conversely, a faction of the APC has rebuffed the appeal for a state of emergency made by the members of the Caretaker Committee of the APC in Rivers State.
The faction’s spokesperson, Darlington Nwauju, labeled the members of the faction led by Tony Okocha as impostors.
He declared, “I want to make it clear to the residents of the State that the APC in Rivers State did not convene any meetings among its members or leaders to decide that the most effective approach to address the brewing political crisis is to seek a ‘State of Emergency’.”
Nwauju further emphasized that “There were no such discussions or meetings, and therefore it cannot be considered the collective opinion of APC members across the 390 wards in Rivers State. “So, I wish to dispel such rumors and regard them as baseless, irrational, and unpatriotic. Rivers State must find alternative methods to resolve these political matters.”
Nwauju cautioned Okocha to bear in mind the critical role Rivers State plays in Nigeria’s economy, stressing that prudence is crucial when addressing or providing counsel on managing certain challenges.
The APC spokesperson expressed the party’s aspiration for complete tranquility to be reinstated in every corner of our cherished Rivers State. Consequently, causing unrest or confusion is not a viable option at this juncture.
He articulated, “Our aspiration is for divine peace to envelop Rivers State.”
Nwauju offered a prayer for the Federal Republic of Nigeria to be divinely blessed.
Naija News highlighted that the political unrest in the state garnered more attention on Wednesday after Governor Siminalayi Fubara appointed and swore in caretaker committees for local governments following the approval of the candidates by the state house of assembly loyal to Victor Oko Jumbo.
However, some council chairmen, aligned with the former Governor of the state, Nyesom Wike, who presently serves as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, rejected this action, resulting in violence in certain parts of the state.
Okocha had contended in a previous statement that the Governor and Police were incapable of managing the situation, necessitating the President to declare a state of emergency.
He asserted, “The governor is powerless, the Police are powerless. Therefore, the APC in Rivers State is advocating for a state of emergency in Rivers State to quell the chaos and unrest in the state. I urge the federal government to act promptly in this regard.”
