The Presidency on Friday blamed the political crisis rocking Rivers State and the violent confrontation in the state’s House of Assembly on Wednesday on the state’s governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.
But the Chairman of the Rivers State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Chris Oruge disagreed, insisting that Joseph Mbu, the Rivers State Commissioner of Police is responsible for the crisis and deteriorating security situation.
Also yesterday, the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People warned that Rivers State was fast drifting into a state of anarchy and called on government and security agencies to brace up to the challenge.
The Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Ahmed Gulak, who made the position of the Presidency known in Abuja, also said Nobel laureate, Wole Soyinka was “ill-informed about what really transpired before going public to castigate the president and make allegations against the wife of the president.”
“From the evidence of a video of the crisis, Amaechi masterminded and participated in the mayhem that ensued in the hallowed chambers despite being cautioned to distance himself from the scene by the State Commissioner of Police, Mbu Mbu.
“Amaechi drove himself to the assembly complex with a retinue of aides with the intent to cause mischief. It is mischief to say that the President is behind the crisis in Rivers State. The President cannot be part of the crisis in that state. He is a man of peace.
“The problem in Rivers State is the internal wrangling of the administration of the governor. It is sad that when there are crises in the assembly, the governor will physically drive to the House of Assembly to partake in the crises,” he said.
The Chairman of the Rivers State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Chris Oruge who spoke when he led a delegation of NLC members and activists on a solidarity visit to Amaechi, said Mbu should be called to order for peace to reign in the state.
He lamented the insecurity in the state, saying that the people are not sure of getting protection from the police, because it has now become “a den for former militants known for criminality.”
“The security of the state has gone down since the posting of the ‘almighty’ Mbu. All the militants, the bad boys who had left this state have reconvened and have been doing what they are doing. The result of their actions is on those of us who have no security, have nobody to protect us except the Almighty God”, he said.
He however, assured Governor Amaechi that the NLC leadership and members in the state would continue to support him.
“We are here to make our point and to tell you (Amaechi) that labour is solidly behind you and we will continue to support your government. Since this crisis in the state, we have not heard anybody pinpointing that Amaechi’s administration has not done well in Rivers State. So, we are completely at a loss what actually the problem is about.”
Amaechi thanked them for the solidarity visit, saying he would continue to stand by the people of the state and ensure the judicious use of funds for their wellbeing.
“Let me thank you for the solidarity visit. It encourages me that at least you have the support of the people and not the support of the elites. Whether the elites support you or not, it is good but what is important is the support of the people because power belongs to God actually but you are God’s agents on earth with power. It is through you that we exercise those powers,” said the governor.
The President of MOSOP, Legborsi Pyagbara, warned that Rivers State might “revert to the dark days of uncontrollable, politically motivated gang violence, which regrettably crippled social and economic activities in the state”, if nothing was done to control the growing trend.
Pyagbara said: “In our view, the ugly development goes beyond mere presidential and PDP’s hierarchical denials of involvement in the avoidable impasse in the Rivers State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party. It requires immediate, practical and decisive steps to put an end to the crisis including ensuring security of live and property in the state. This will be only way to reassure and rebuild the confidence of the people.”
He said the movement was disturbed by recent events in the state, especially the re-emergence of gangs in major cities.
“This situation is troubling and should be roundly condemned and should motivate collective action against it. That some calm has returned to the state capital, in our opinion, may not amount to an end to the sad events as the current development may not be a guarantee for enduring peace if strategic security approaches including addressing the root cause of the crisis is not adopted now,” he said.
He blamed the crisis on political intolerance and said, “It is a shame that over time, the integrity and maturity of our politicians have been put to test and on all the occasions they have failed. While we would not consider political leadership competition as unhealthy, we make bold to question the do-or-die approach that our politicians have been adopting in out-doing one another.”
Source: Thisdaylive
