APC, Okpebholo differ, back Tinubu
The South-South Governors’ Forum has called for the rescission of President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, saying the political situation in the state does not satisfy the criteria for such action as outlined in Section 305(3) of the Nigerian Constitution (as amended).
The forum, in a statement signed by its Chairman, Douye Diri, the Governor of Bayelsa State, explained that the section suggests that such a declaration should be considered under specific conditions, such as war, external aggression, imminent invasion, breakdown of public order, existential threats to Nigeria, natural disasters, or other significant public dangers.
The governors further stated that the Constitution outlines specific procedures for the removal of a governor and deputy governor, as detailed in Section 188, and similar provisions exist for the removal of members of the House of Assembly and the dissolution of parliament.
It added that in the current situation, it appears that these guidelines might not have been fully considered.
While recognising the President’s constitutional duty to maintain law and order in the country, the forum encouraged all parties to remain calm and uphold peace and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Meanwhile, the Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, yesterday, rejected the position of the South-South Governors Forum on the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu.
Okpebholo dissociated himself from his South-South colleagues’ position, noting that he was not consulted before they took the decision.
He made his position known in a statement made available to newsmen by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua. The Edo State Governor said he supports actions so far taken by the President towards bringing lasting solutions and peace to Rivers State and the South-South geopolitical zone.
“The position by the governors opposing the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State did not get the nod of Governor Okpebholo, as he was neither consulted nor informed.
“While Okpebholo acknowledges the right of other governors in the South-South geopolitical zone to take a position, he, however, dissociates himself from any statement that opposes the declaration of an emergency rule in Rivers State by the President”.
ALSO, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has said the declaration of emergency rule by the President is the best decision to check the brewing circumstances of economic sabotage and general anomie that were bedevilling the peace of the state.
Chairman of the State APC, Tony Okocha, blamed the failure to implement the eight-point resolution signed by both parties in the crisis as the cause of the current action.
Okocha alleged that some elders who should have drummed for peace, counselled the suspended governor never to accept the conditions, saying that the President lacked the powers under the Constitution to intervene in such matter.
He also stated that they went to court to seek a declaration that the President’s decision was political, not constitutional.
