Following the call by the Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, on President Bola Tinubu to declare a State of emergency in the state following the political crisis rocking the state, the Rivers State Ethnic Youth Leaders Coalition have urged the president to jettison the call.
Recall that APC chairman in Rivers State, Chief Tony Okocha on Wednesday, called on the president to declare a state of emergency in the state to halt further escalation of the crisis which burst out in the state following refusal by former local council chairmen to vacate their offices at the expiration of their tenure.
Okocha said the violence which led to the death of three persons could consume the entire state if urgent step was not taken by the federal government, urging that the Army should be deployed to takeover the state.
But Dr. Legborsi Yamaabana, Chairman, Rivers State Ethnic Youth Leaders Coalition, RSEYLC, said the swift call by the APC for a state of emergency exposes the intention of the party, Assembly members and the former local government chairmen to paralyse governance in the state.
Yamaabana said the refusal of the former council chairmen to exit office was an attempt to turn the state into a war zone hoping for a state of emergency.
He said: “The Rivers State Ethnic Youth Leaders Coalition firmly rejects the call for a state of emergency in Rivers State by the factional Rivers State Caretaker Committee Chairman of APC. This demand is not only baseless but also reveals the generic scheme by enemies of Rivers people to disrupt governance in our state.
“The swift appeal to the presidency for a state of emergency exposes the malicious intent of former Chairmen, Assembly members, and the APC to paralyze governmental operations in Rivers State. We want to make it unequivocally clear that their nefarious plans have failed and will continue to fail.
“We call on His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and all Nigerians to disregard Tony Okocha’s inflammatory statements. These are mere attempts by those opposed to peace and progress to disrupt our state. If the APC under Okocha believes they have the support of the people, let them wait until 2027. They will then witness the decisive response of the Rivers people”.
The RSEYLC Chairman urged the APC and those responsible for the crisis to accept the reality that Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, commands deep-rooted love, respect and organic support from the people of Rivers State.
“Every state can have only one Governor at a time, and for Rivers State, that Governor is Sir Siminalayi Fubara. We urge the opposition to accept this and wait for the 2027 elections. Their repeated attempts to destabilize the state, including the failed kangaroo impeachment process and the attempts to make Rivers State ungovernable have been thwarted by the resilience of the Rivers people”.
“The refusal of the former Chairmen to vacate office after their tenure expired was an attempt to transform the state into a conflict zone, hoping to justify a state of emergency. However, the people of Rivers State have chosen peace and demonstrated unwavering support for the Governor across all 23 LGAs”, he said.
Yamaabana commended Governor Siminalayi Fubara for his maturity in ordering the payment of salaries of the outgoing chairmen, councillors, and local government staff, despite their opposition to him and his administration, stressing that the action exemplifies the Governor’s democratic principles and his dedication to peace and development.
He further appealed to all stakeholders to unite in building a better Rivers State with focus on security, prosperity, and job creation for the youth.
