With few days to end the six months state of emergency declared in Rivers State, a political stakeholder, Chief Ogbonna Nwuke, has decried the negative effects of the declaration on the socio-economic and political development of the state.
Speaking with our correspondent in Port Harcourt, Chief Nwuke, who argued that there was no justification for declaring the state of Emergency by President Bola Tinubu, lamented that all the projects embarked upon by the suspended Governor Siminialayi Fubara, have been abandoned by the State Sole Administrator, rtd. Admiral Ibok-Ette-Ibas.
“Where we have a trajectory that Rivers State was travelling earlier before this time, it was truncated.”
“All the projects initiated by the Fubara administration has become comatose, you will wonder what ibas did in six months. In six months, Ibas has not been able to complete the house of assembly complex under construction began by Governor Fubara.”
While emphasising that Rivers people are looking forward to the restoration of democratic structures in the state, Chief Nwuke questioned the rationale behind the removal of Governor Fubara’s image from the Government House and the sacking of government appointees by the Sole Administrator.
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On lessons to be learnt from the state of emergency, Chief Nwuke said political gladiators have realized the importance of resolving their differences without giving room to a stranger to preside over the affairs of the state.
“I think it’s a lesson that no matter how we disagree, running around with our state affairs within Rivers people is the best option. The gladiators now know how it is, they were in the trenches, they fought one another.”
“There is a limit to bickering, there is a limit to undue pressure. The long term interest of Rivers State is better protected when a Rivers Man is at the saddle.”
Chief Nwuke expressed delight that every Rivers indigenes including the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, are in unison that the state of emergency should not extend beyond the six months duration.
