Rivers crisis: PDP in measured tone, calls for calm as APC demands declaration of state of emergency

Rivers crisis: PDP in measured tone, calls for calm as APC demands declaration of state of emergency

By Ishaya Ibrahim

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State, claiming a breakdown of law and order in the state.

The APC’s call was made by the caretaker committee chairman of Rivers APC, Chief Tony Okocha. He said the governor of the state Siminalayi Fubara is helpless in handling the situation.

“Rivers State is at war. And the dramatis personae who are responsible for the mayhem that has claimed lives are known.

“The Governor is helpless, the police is helpless. Therefore the APC in Rivers State is calling for a state of emergency as a way of taming the mayhem, and the upsurge that is going on in the state. I call on the federal government to act fast in this regard.

“The Local Government Law No. 2, 2024, has already outlawed the use of caretaker committee chairmen, so if by tomorrow, Thursday, June 20, 2024, the court gives its ruling in favour of the chairmen, are we going to have two chairmen in each local government?”

But in a measured tone, the PDP cautions the immediate past Rivers State Local Government Chairmen whose tenure expired against any conduct that is capable of disrupting the peace in the State.

READ ALSO: Fly local airlines instead of buying new jets, Dele Momodu advises Tinubu

A statement by the PDP’s national publicity secretary, Debo Ologunagba said the council tenure whose tenure has expired should not take any action that could undermine the peace of the state.

The statement reads: “The Party notes that the three-year tenure in office of the former Rivers State Local Government Executive Councils has expired by the effluxion of time under the relevant State Law establishing the Rivers State Local Government Council Administration.

“The PDP therefore counsels the former Local Government Council Chairmen to desist from any action that may constitute disruption in Local Government administration in the State.

“The Party calls on the people of Rivers State to remain calm, law-abiding and continue to work together for the continued stability, peace and delivery of democracy dividends in Rivers State.”