Emergency rule imminent in Rivers state, by Kola Amzat

Every horrendous development necessary to prompt an emergency rule declaration in Rivers state have occurred.

But, it’s curious why the President, Commander- in-Chief of the Armed Forces hasn’t wielded the big hammer.   

May be, the president is being circumspect, watchful or perhaps waiting for appropriate time to strike! May be; may be not! Time would tell!

But, generality of Nigerians are waiting with patient breath, as well as monitoring the unfolding ugly political drama in the state with keen interest.    

There is no iota of doubt that the law and order has broken down irretrievably in the state.  

We have a governor who has chosen to throw wisdom, maturity, caution and decorum into dustbin.

He has continually runs the state outside the provisions of 1999 Constitution, as amended.  

Fubara demolition of the Rivers state House of Assembly complex at the beginning of this year remains one of the most destructive and brazen attacks on the democratic institutions in the annals of Nigeria.

He even made unsuccessful attempts to demolish the House of Assembly residential quarters in Port Harcourt.

The governor made frantic efforts to jettison the Constitution, by governing the state in denial of the existence of the legislative arm of government.  

He practically affirmed that the House of Assembly do not exist after 27 assembly members defected from PDP to APC following his egregious, arrogance and act of impunity in conducting the affairs of the state. 

Before the recent fracas and political pandemonium, the governor has committed several impeachable offences so much that it has become curious and inexplicable why he’s still remain in the office.  

Nigerians recall that earlier this year, the president intervened in the political crisis of the state, spelling out in unequivocal terms through an eight-point resolution reached at the mediation meeting, the role to be played by the contending parties.

Regrettably, no sooner than the governor arrived Port Harcourt, cornered and overwhelmed by disgruntled elements around him that he jettisoned the 8-point resolution.

The crisis has since festered and assumed a colossal dimension.     

For the avoidance of doubt, the recent pandemonium that engulfed the entire state was a direct consequence of the governor’s flagrant disobedience to the court judgment halting the conduct of Local Government Elections in the state.

For emphasis, the Abuja Federal High Court had ordered Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to release voters’ register used for the conduct of the 2023 general elections to Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) until the register is updated to reflect current voters’ population.   

Of course, no reasonable electoral result could come out from the outdated voters’ register.  

Instead of the governor to respect the law of the land, he quickly stormed a court of coordinate jurisdiction in Port-Harcourt to obtain a contrary judgment.

This was the crux of the matter.

Against the earlier judgment of Abuja Federal High Court, he arrogantly proceeded with the conduct of the elections.

And, of course, had all APP candidates declared as victorious at his behest.

This is why the entire state have been engulfed in violence and wanton destruction!

This is why several public institutions have been set ablaze!

This is why the heritage and historic monuments in the state have gone into extinction!

This is why so many people have lost the life!

Governor Simi Fubara has suddenly turned to a despot masquerading in the garb of a democratically elected leader.

Of course, his cup is already full.

Rivers state is just one of the 36 of Nigeria federating units.  Enough of this rascality and indiscretion.  

It’s an auspicious time to put the governor where he belongs and the only one who can save the state and his good people from this regime of anarchy and disorderliness is the president.

No solution would be appropriate and germane other than declaration of Emergency Rule.    

Kola AMZAT (FCA, FCIB)

Lagos based Financial & Management Consultants,

09077509348.