The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has made an urgent appeal to President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in the state, citing the escalating political crisis that has engulfed the state. The party’s caretaker committee chairman, Tony Okocha, made the call in Port Harcourt, stressing that the situation in the state has deteriorated to a point where drastic measures are necessary to prevent further chaos.
Okocha’s plea comes on the heels of a fresh political crisis that has rocked the state, following controversies surrounding the tenure of chairmen in the 23 local government areas. The APC chairman warned that the state is on the brink of collapse, with the potential to affect not just the state’s economy but also the nation’s economy, given Rivers State’s strategic position as a major oil-producing state.
Okocha criticized the appointment of caretaker committee chairmen by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, stating that it is illegal and unconstitutional. He pointed out that Local Government Law No. 2, 2024, has already outlawed the use of caretaker committee chairmen, and if the court rules in favor of the chairmen, it would lead to a situation where there would be two chairmen in each local government.
“Rivers State is currently at war. The Local Government Law No. 2, 2024, has already outlawed the use of caretaker committee chairmen, so if by Thursday, June 20, 2024, the court gives its ruling in favor of the chairmen, are we going to have two chairmen in each local government?” said okocha
The APC chairman painted a grim picture of the state’s situation, stating that Rivers State is “currently at war.” He warned that if the crisis is allowed to escalate, it would have far-reaching consequences for the state and the nation. Okocha urged President Tinubu to take immediate action to declare a state of emergency in the state, which he believes is the only way to tame the upsurge of political crisis in the state.
The crisis in Rivers State has been brewing for weeks, with tensions escalating between the APC and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state. The situation has raised concerns among residents and stakeholders, who fear that the crisis could lead to violence and instability in the state.
The APC’s call for a state of emergency is seen as a desperate attempt to salvage the situation, but it remains to be seen if President Tinubu will heed the call. The situation in Rivers State is being closely watched by Nigerians, who are eager to see how the crisis will be resolved.
