Eleven governors in opposition political parties, have condemned the crisis in Rivers State, describing it as a ploy by the Federal Government to declare emergency rule in the oil-rich state.
They made the claim just as the embattled Governor of the State, Rotimi Amaechi, told visiting members of the Senate Committee on State and Local Government Administration, that the state(Rivers) was under siege.
Amaechi’s allegation is almost in tandem with the Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu’s belief that the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command, Joseph Mbu, had become the governor of the crisis-ridden state.
The 11 opposition governors, who are members of the Action Congress of Nigeria, All Nigeria Peoples Party, Congress for Progressive Change and All Progressives Grand Alliance , said in a statement in Abuja on Thursday, that what was happening in Rivers State, was an assault on Nigeria’s democracy.
Their statement, which was made available to journalists, reads in part, “Events in Rivers State resulting in the shameful occupation of the State Government House by members of the Nigeria Police Force on Wednesday, July 10, 2013 are a direct assault on Nigeria’s democracy.
“These developments are not only worrisome but outright condemnable as an affront to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“The Progressive Governors’ Forum unequivocally condemns the ill-disguised attempt to create a state of emergency in Rivers State by plunging the state into a needless and avoidable crisis.
“All available evidences surrounding the events of Tuesday and Wednesday indicated that the Rivers State Police Commissioner, Mr. Mbu, and his men did not act in a professional manner.
“Before now, the Police Commissioner had exhibited very clear bias against the Governor (Amaechi) and other state officials. This is a dangerous development that would only produce anarchy with unpredictable consequences.”
They added that events of July 9 and 10 in the state represented “acts sponsored by anarchists,” whose interest included subverting democracy and exposing the lives of democratically elected representatives to great danger.
According to them, “The constitutional responsibility of the State House of Assembly is being impeded and in the circumstance the House of Representatives has voted to take over the functions of the state Assembly as provided under Section 11(4) of the 1999 Constitution.
“It is very clear to all discerning Nigerians that the crisis in Rivers State is a product of intolerance and highhanded attempts to undermine our rights as governors acting under the Nigeria Governors’ Forum to freely choose our leaders.”
• Crisis not unconnected to NGF poll
The opposition governors said that having elected Amaechi on May 24 as the NGF Chairman , the anti-democratic forces against the election were now using other security agencies to threaten and intimidate him.
They said the same forces were in the process of engineering anarchy and endangering the lives of innocent persons and property in the state.
They therefore called on President Goodluck Jonathan not to only exercise his moral authority, but also apply his constitutional responsibilities to ensure the restoration of peace and protection of the governor and all citizens of the state.
“Should the crisis in Rivers State continue and anything happen to the governor or any official for that matter, the Nigerian leadership would not be absolved of blame,” they warned.
They called on all Nigerians to do all within their powers to prevail on those in positions of trust and responsibilities to exercise their powers with restraint and refrain from steps that could plunge “our fragile democracy” into a descent.
• Rivers under siege – Amaechi
Shortly before the governors of the opposition parties made their statement public, Amaechi, told the Senate Committee on State and Local Government Administration investigating the crisis in the state how tear-gas canisters were shot into the state Government House.
Amaechi, who expressed shock over the sudden withdrawal of soldiers and Armoured Personnel Carrier attached to Government House, lamented that security commanders had not held meetings with him in the last two months.
He said, “Yesterday (Wednesday), they were shooting tear-gas canisters into Government House. When we were meeting with the Deputy Inspector-General, the police claimed that it was inadvertent that they shot tear-gas canisters into the Government House.
“So, I asked one question. Supposing it was a live bullet and it hit me? and they said, ‘No, the governor was not outside.’ But I said I was outside.
“We are under siege here. For two months now, we have not met with security men. Security commanders in the state don’t come to me any longer. They are either scared or they deliberately don’t want to see me.”
• Soldiers withdrawn from governor
The governors also alleged that soldiers attached to him were withdrawn on Wednesday and Thursday, thereby further exposing him to danger.
“They withdrew soldiers attached to me yesterday(Wednesday) and this(Thursday) morning, they withdrew the APC attached to Government House, ” he lamented.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Senate Committee, Kabiru Gaya, had said, they were in the state to find out how “best we (Senate) could have the (Rivers State) legislators perform their functions without undue interference.”
He pointed out that the panel would after the courtesy visit on the governor, discuss with him to know what happened.
Gaya added,” We also need to talk with the Assembly members on both sides, including the Commissioner of Police, the SSS(State Security Service) and the JTF (Joint Task Force) . We have already asked the Commissioner of Police to meet us.
“The purpose of our mission is to ensure that peace returns to the state and to maintain good governance so that the people of the state will relax and have peace.
“We are not happy with what we saw and what we heard, especially when we saw people walking on the streets and their hands are up as if they are being interrogated, as if the the state is at war.”
• Jonathan not behind Rivers mayhem
Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Ahmed Gulak, in an interview with our correspondent described the claim by opposition governors that President Goodluck Jonathan planned to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State as untrue.
He said the claim was a mere opposition statement.
The presidential aide said rather than dragging the name of the President into the crisis, Governor Rotimi Amaechi should be advised to face his problem squarely.
He said, “That claim is not true. It is a mere opposition statement. That is not the first state House of Assembly in Nigeria that there will be problem. The President has nothing to do with it.
“Rather than dragging the name of the President to the crisis, Amaechi should be advised to face his problem squarely.”’
Also, Jonathan has denied instigating the crisis in the Rivers State House of Assembly, saying as a President, he will never support any actions that negate his commitment to the rule of law.
He also called on those behind the mayhem to sheathe their swords and show greater respect for the constitution and the rule of law.
Jonathan’s position was contained in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati.
The statement reads in part, “The Presidency has also noted with regret the continuing attempts by some individuals and groups to place responsibility for the unpleasant developments in Rivers State on President Jonathan.
“We are constrained to state once again that there is absolutely no factual basis for suggestions that some of the politicians involved in the current dispute are acting at the behest of the President.”
Expressing concern over what he called untoward political developments in the state, Jonathan urged members of the state Assembly and all other political gladiators in the state to put the interests of the state and the nation above their personal egos. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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ALL is Jonathan unintellectual agenda and programs
ReplyDeleteYou must be one of those (especially the opposition) who dont want this present federal government to succeed yet they claimed to be patriotic!. Is president Jonathan the governor of Rivers state?. Why dont u blame governor Amaechi who directly oversee the crises?. All of you need to have the interest of the state and country at heart and face reality
Deleteif GEJ is not responsible Rivers crisis, who withdrew Ameachi security details? Can the IGP insult the president publicly? Why would Rivers State CP insult an elected governor and still remained as the CP? Why would the police suport five against 27 in a democracy? All these criminality should be investigated so that Nigerian will know if there are
ReplyDeleteany higher authority than the presidency who control the security agencies.
He that lives in a glass house don't throw stone. All the APC Governors, including Aliyu of Niger State seeking relevance are overwhelm in their own greed nosing about where to display their unwanted agenda. The Amaechi in question is terrible soak and carried away with greed and insubordination that he doesn't care any more about the welfare of the state. The condition of the state is so bad yet he is busy fighting over the chairmanship of NGF, buying himself a good boy servant of the North being used. He had borrowed so much embarking on a project(monorail)he knows can never be completed all in looting money. Remember, no matter how long, one day, you and others will give account before God.
ReplyDeleteGod will surely pay back the sponsors.
ReplyDeleteSo who is in control of soldiers. It is a pity when unelected person like first lady has security but elected gov has his withdrawn
ReplyDeletesome foolish individuals will continue to remain blind,it is not rocket science this is a war by the goodluck family on rotimi amechi,s adminstration
ReplyDeleteNigeria...We're all we have
ReplyDelete