- IGP condemns violence, orders probe into officers’ killing
- Police seal all LGA secretariats, PDP sues for calm
- Fubara swears in caretaker chairmen
The caretaker committee chairman of All Progressives Congress in Rivers State, Tony Okocha, has called for a state of emergency declaration, saying the state is at ‘war’.
Okocha spoke at a press briefing on Wednesday where he accused Governor Siminalyi Fubara of being the architect of the protracted crisis.
Okocha said the war is not just looming but is already on hand. He said young men with guns from the creeks have entered Port Harcourt and that there is a full threat.
The caretaker chairman said he too noticed strange movements at a hospital where he said he went to take treatment, and that security reports getting to him showed black vehicles were moving about in his area.
“I had to escape from the hospital,” he claimed.
Okocha however said a hero like him would not run away from the battlefield, saying he would stand to do his work.
Accusing Fubara of being the cause of the troubles, Okocha said by refusing to conduct local council elections before now, it has created a vacuum and invited mayhem.
He said no local council chairman was unwilling to vacate office but that the failure to conduct the elections made the Rivers State House of Assembly domesticate a national law that empowered the National Assembly to extend the tenure of Mr. President for an initial six months.
Okocha, who had earlier called for the impeachment of the governor, said the stage of the crisis is advanced and that only a state of emergency would solve the problem.
He wondered why the governor did not want to conduct elections using the political crisis as an excuse whereas, as he put it, the same governor and his people went around the state for thanksgiving without trouble.
He wondered why the governor was in a hurry to install new caretaker committees in the 23 LGAs whereas the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal were set to make declarations on such matters.
“Maybe he wants the expected decisions to be rendered useless,” Okocha noted.
Okocha also refuted claims by former governor and former minister of transportation, Chibuike Amaechi, that 84% of Nigerians do not like the Bola Tinubu government.
Okocha said Amaechi must provide the statistics of the study that gave him such a result, or Nigerians must regard it as his personal opinion.
He said Rivers people and Nigerians stand solidly behind Tinubu and that an APC caucus meeting in Calabar just affirmed it, saying Tinubu was free to even contest the 2027 election.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State police command has made good its threat to seal all LGA secretariats in the state.
A visit to the Port Harcourt City Council showed policemen in fatigue blocking all access to the place as vehicles turned back to seek alternative routes.
IGP condemns violence in Rivers, orders probe into officers’ killing
Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has condemned the outbreak of violence and breakdown of law and order at various Local Government Council secretariats in Rivers State.
In a statement on Wednesday by the Force Spokesman, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the police boss directed the Rivers Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, to heighten security measures across the state.
The IGP also ordered a thorough investigation into the killing of the police officer and the vigilante operative and also directed the probe of the general violence which erupted in the state.
Egbetokun also deployed operatives of the Force Intelligence Response Team to assist the Rivers State Command in apprehending the killers of the police officer and the vigilante member.
The statement reads, “The Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, condemns in the strongest terms the recent outbreak of violence and subsequent breakdown of law and order at various Local Government Council secretariats in Rivers State, where supporters of two political factions clashed over the tenure of Local Government Council Chairmen, which unfortunately led to the tragic deaths of a Police Officer – Inspector David Mgbada, and Samuel Nwigwe, a vigilante member at Eberi-Omuma in Omuma LGA.
“In response to these heinous acts, the IGP has directed the Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, CP Olatunji Disu, to heighten security measures across the state and institute thorough investigations into the killing of the police officer and the vigilante operative, as well as the general violence which erupted in the state.
“The IGP has specifically deployed operatives of the Force Intelligence Response Team (IRT) to assist the Rivers State Command in apprehending the killers of the police officer and the vigilante member.
“The IGP seriously warns individuals and groups of people who have a penchant for senseless attacks and mindless killings of police officers and other security operatives across the country to desist forthwith as the fullest force of the law will be meted on them.”
Egbetokun also directed increased patrols, strategic deployment of officers, and enhanced intelligence operations to prevent further violence and ensure the safety of all residents.
He, however, expressed condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of the security operatives, stating that their dedication and sacrifice in the line of duty will not be forgotten.
It added, “The CP has also been directed to focus on increased patrols, strategic deployment of officers, and enhanced intelligence operations to prevent further violence and ensure the safety of all residents.
“The IGP extends heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of the deceased police officer and the vigilante member, noting that their dedication and sacrifice in the line of duty will not be taken for granted.
“The Inspector General of Police calls on all residents and political stakeholders in the State to exercise restraint and seek peaceful means of resolving differences.”
PDP sues for calm
Also, the PDP has called 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.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, on Wednesday, the PDP cautioned the immediate past Rivers State local government chairmen whose tenure has expired against any conduct that is capable of disrupting the peace in the state.
The party noted that the three years tenure in office of the chairmen has expired by the effluxion of time under the relevant State Law establishing the Rivers State Local Government Council Administration.
This development follows the disagreement over claim of tenure elongation of the local council chairmen by the Rivers State House of Assembly led by Martin Amaewhule.
They had some months ago passed the Local Government Amendment Bill into law.
While Fubara did not assent to the bill, the lawmakers led by Martin Amaewhule vetoed it.
The law empowered the Rivers State Assembly to extend the tenure of council chairpersons, their vice, and councillors where it is deemed impossible to hold elections before the end of their three-year tenure.
But a court nullified the amended law, prompting an appeal. The appeal court is set to deliver a ruling on the matter on June 20, 2024.
Fubara swears in 23 LGA caretaker committee chairmen
Be that as it may, Governor Fubara has sworn in new caretaker committee chairmen in the 23 LGAs in Rivers state.
The ceremony held at the government house in Port Harcourt, the state capital, on Wednesday morning.
The governor had earlier sent the names of caretaker committee chairpersons to the house of assembly for screening.
The new caretaker committee chairmen are Madigai Dickson (Abua/Odual LGA), Happy Benneth (Ahoada East LGA), Daddy Green (Ahoada West LGA), Otonye Briggs (Akuku Toru LGA), Reginald Ekaan (Andoni LGA), Orolosoma Amachree (Asari Toru LGA), and Alabota Anengi Barasua (Bonny LGA).
Others are Anthony Soberekan (Degema LGA), Brain Gokpa (Eleme LGA), David Omereji (Emohua LGA), John Nkugbo (Etche LGA), Kenneth Kpeden (Gokana LGA), Darlington Orji (Ikwerre LGA), Marvin Yobana (Khana LGA), Chijoke Ihunwo (Obio/Akpor LGA), Princewill Ejekwe and (Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA).
They also include Evans Bipi (Ogu/Bolo LGA), Princess Ogan (Okrika LGA), Promise Reginald (Omuma LGA), Enyiada Cookey-Gam (Opobo/Nkoro LGA), Ogogo Philip (Oyigbo LGA), Ichemati Ezebunwo (Port Harcourt LGA), and Matthew Dike (Tai LGA).
The three-year tenure of the elected chairpersons, vice chairpersons and councillors of the LGAs ended on Monday.
On Tuesday, Fubara asked the heads of local government administration to immediately assume control of the 23 council areas of the state.