The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in the state, citing escalating violence and chaos.
Chief Tony Okocha, Caretaker Committee Chairman of the party in Rivers, made the call during a media briefing on Wednesday.
“Rivers State is at war,” Okocha declared.
“Lives have been lost, and the perpetrators are well-known. The Governor and the police seem powerless to stop the mayhem. We urge the Federal Government to act swiftly and declare a state of emergency to tame the violence and restore order.”
The Federal Government has the constitutional power to declare a state of emergency in cases of natural disasters, civil unrest, armed conflict, medical pandemics, epidemics, or other biosecurity risks.
Okocha’s call comes amidst a deepening political crisis in Rivers State, which has seen clashes between rival factions over the expiration of local government council executives.
Earlier on Wednesday (today), Governor Fubara inaugurated caretaker committees to lead the local governments, following the expiration of the three-year tenure of the previous officeholders on Monday.
In a statewide broadcast, Fubara announced that he would not extend the tenure of the former chairmen, who are alleged to be loyal to Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike.
Fubara is engaged in a running political battle with Wike.
May God deliver them o