Pulse.ng : CSO drums support for FG’s emergency declaration in Rivers

By Perpetua Onuegbu

A civil society organisation (CSO), Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness (CFCLCA), has called for support for the recent declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers by President Bola Tinubu.

Executive Director of CFCLCA, Dr Gabriel Nwambu, said this at a news conference on Friday in Abuja.

Nwambu said that the president’s action was guided by the provisions of Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

He said that the emergency declaration was a ‘sober and constitutional response’ to a pressing political situation that demanded immediate intervention for the restoration of order, peace and effective governance in the state.

Nwambu argued that by the proclamation, invoking Section 305 of the constitution, Tinubu had acted within his constitutional rights and obligations as president.

According to him, the constitutional provision allows for the declaration of a state of emergency in situations where the government of the affected state is unable to maintain order or ensure good governance.

He said that the chaotic political environment in Rivers had necessitated such an extra-ordinary measure.

The executive director, who likened the situation in Rivers to leadership failure, said that Gov. Siminalayi Fubara and his Deputy, Ngozi Odu, had not made adequate attempts to address the deteriorating security collapse.

“Their failure to seek the assistance of the president, as mandated by Section 305(5), indicates a lack of readiness and capability to govern effectively.

“It is the duty of the president to intervene when local leaders are unable or unwilling to fulfill their responsibilities to the people,” he said.

Nwambu described the appointment of Retired Vice Admiral Ibok Ette Ibas as Sole Administrator as a strategic decision aimed at stabilising the state.

“His vast experience will help steer the state toward a path of recovery, focusing on law and order, while upholding the principles of justice and governance.

“The administrator’s role will be to ensure the continuity of governance and the restoration of public confidence in the state leadership,” he said.

The executive director commended the president’s assurance that the judicial arm of the state would continue to operate independently.

This, he said, underscored the respect for the rule of law, while allowing necessary interventions in government.

“As civil rights coalition, we stand in affirming the recent actions taken by President Bola Tinubu as well as the resolutions passed by both the Senate and the House of Representatives concerning the state of emergency in Rivers,” he said.

Nwambu said that the prolonged political turmoil between the executive and legislative arms in the state had led to a governance crisis that required immediate and decisive action.

The coalition, therefore, commended the president for what it described as a bold step in restoring order and ensuring effective governance in the state.

He said that the suspension Fubara, his deputy and all members of the state House of Assembly was a necessary step to facilitate this process.

The executive director also expressed support for the senate’s resolution on the establishment of a Joint Advisory Committee to oversee the administration of Rivers while the emergency declaration lasted.

“This oversight is crucial to ensuring that the interests of the citizens are maintained and stability restored.

“We also welcome the Senate’s suggestion to form a committee of eminent Nigerians tasked with reconciling the conflicting parties within the government of Rivers State.

“Such an initiative is essential not only for immediate resolution of the ongoing crisis but also for fostering a more collaborative and effective governance structure in the future,” he said.

Also speaking, the Public Relations Officer of CFCLCA, Mr Okafor Ugochukwu, said that the president had done what any proactive government would do in such a circumstance.

Ugochukwu said that with the incidences of bombing of petroleum pipelines, amounting to economic sabotage, the Federal Government was not expected to sit by and watch the situation getting out of hands. (NAN)