Chief Tony Okocha, the Caretaker Committee Chairman of the APC in Rivers, made this appeal during a media briefing held in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
Okocha stated, “Rivers State is in a state of conflict. The individuals responsible for the violence that has resulted in loss of life are known.
The Governor is powerless, and the police are ineffective. Therefore, the APC in Rivers State is calling for a state of emergency to address the violence and unrest occurring in the state. We urge the federal government to take swift action.”
This call comes after Governor Siminalayi Fubara appointed caretaker committee chairmen for the 23 Local Government Areas of Rivers.
The former chairmen, whose terms ended on Monday, contended that they were entitled to continue in their roles for an additional six months according to the amended Local Government Law.
The faction of the Rivers House of Assembly that supports the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, had amended the law, citing Fubara’s failure to conduct local government elections.
However, during a press conference in Port Harcourt, Governor Fubara emphasized, “The law regarding local government tenure is clear. The court has affirmed the legal position. The law does not permit an extension of the local government tenure. This was confirmed by the court.”
Political analysts see the ongoing situation in Rivers State as a significant test of strength between the camps of Wike and Fubara.
