The speech by Chief Tony Okocha, Chairman of the APC Caretaker Management Committee, at a press conference in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, June 19, highlighted the current critical situation in Rivers State. Okocha said the state is in a state of war, with key players responsible for the unrest leading to loss of lives, while pointing out the impotence of the governor and potential bias of the police in the face of the situation.
He called for a declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State to contain the violence and unrest there, urging the Federal Government to act quickly to stem the crisis. However, the reaction to this request has been mixed.
The Concerned Citizens Forum of Nigeria (CCFN) has sharply criticized the APC’s call for a state of emergency, describing it as a deliberate move aimed at aggravating the existing political instability in the region with the aim of political gain. Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, the Executive Director, Dr. Ekeanyanwu Promise, stressed that the current crisis in the municipal system stems from the internal contradictions and mismanagement of the APC, and that a statement from the A state of emergency would compromise democratic governance.
According to Promise, such a move will only erode the people’s confidence in the democratic process, removing their ability to fully participate in the politics of Rivers State and risking aggravation of existing tensions.
In short, the situation in Rivers State is worrying and requires a balanced and constructive approach to find lasting solutions that ensure stability and respect for democratic principles. Calls for a state of emergency should be viewed with caution, given their potential to exacerbate problems already present. It is imperative that all stakeholders work together to find peaceful and inclusive solutions that will benefit all the people of Rivers State.