The rift in Rivers State which made President Bola Tinubu declaring a state of emergency and appointment of a sole Administrator for the state has gathered many reactions.
Although in his statement yesterday evening, the President who suspended the Governor Similaiye Fubara led administration including the house of Assembly linked the decision to the rising tensions and explosion of pipelines. He said the governor was unable to control the initial explosions and left the state vulnerable, forcing him to invoke Section 305(5) of the 1999 constitution.
The suspension which is set to last for six months is geared towards restoring peace according to the President. Recall that the rift in the state between the Governor and his predecessor, Nyesome Wike has been on since October 2023 following the political fallout between the political God father and son.
The duo who has been at loggerheads has on occasions met with the President for settlement. However the lingering Crisis over the control of the political structures in Rivers State has landed the state to what it is today.
Since the President’s broadcast last night, there has been reactions and counter reactions. Although the National Assembly led by Senator God’swill Akpabio is yet to approve the state of Emergency, eyes are rolling as to why State of Emergency should be declared in Rivers State which has been going through a mere political fracas and nothing has been done to states in the north where there has been incessant lost of lives and property following the activities of bandits and herdsmen.
Meanwhile, there has been accusing fingers on the FCT minister, Nyesome Wike of being the masterminder of the President’s action as he has been bent on unseating the Governor. Concerns were also raised that the sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) is an ally of the former Governor and what he has been looking for to control the state has been granted him.
Admits this, it would be recalled that during the President Olusegun Obasanjo regime, he declared state of emergency in Plateau state, suspended Governor, Mr. Joshua Dariye and the House of Assembly for six months, and installed a military administration. He also did the same in Ekiti State, by removing Governor Peter Ayodele Fayose and his Deputy, Mrs. Abiodun Olujimi and replaced them with retired Army General, Tunji Olurin for a period of six months.
See social media reactions following the turn out of things in Rivers State
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