Abe, group dismiss Wike’s allegation of emergency declaration in Rivers

Senator Magnus Ngei Abe has said that there is no situation requiring the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers state as alleged by Governor Nyeson Wike.

He spoke Wednesday night on Channels Television, countering claims by the governor that he had uncovered plots by some politicians in Abuja to cause the federal government to declare a state of emergency in the state.

Senator Abe stated that “the only other option we would have had is for the President to declare a state of emergency across the country and then use fiat and force to enforce the federal will across the country even on states that are reluctant to cooperate.”

The senator said there were some states that had not behaved well, but added that “so far, I do not see that there is any situation in the country right now that demands that kind of extreme measure. We are not doing badly.”

In the same vein, a pressure group, Rivers Leadership Advancement Foundation (RIVLEAF) described as funny and disturbing, the claim by the state government that it had uncovered a plot to declare a state of emergency on the state.

In a statement issued in Port Harcourt and signed by Mr. Onyeche Peters, its director of communications, the group maintained: “As a pressure group, we find the statement emanating from Governor Wike as funny and disturbing, especially as the same governor had severally boasted that he was beyond the reproach of the federal government and could do and undo as he so wishes.

“At every little opportunity, Wike has threatened the federal government with all manner of underhand tactics and innuendoes, pontificating like a man that has killed a game and conquered all.

“It is therefore, shocking that the same governor is now suddenly afraid of the monster he has been nurturing and feeding with lies, propaganda, and blackmail.

“He is now like a man who kills with the sword, but shivers at the sight of another person carrying a sword.

“We urge Wike to abandon these diversionary tactics that lead to nowhere and focus on policies and activities that will ensure a well-coordinated approach to tackling the rampaging coronavirus, which his administration has sadly mismanaged.”

No lifting of ban on public gathering – Oyo Govt

Last Tuesday, the Rivers state government announced that it has uncovered plans by some citizens of the state residing in Abuja, to cause a breakdown of law and order in order to declare a state of emergency.

According to a statement signed by the state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Paulinus Nsirim, those persons whose attempts to declare a state of emergency in the state since 2015 had never succeeded, alleging that they did everything within their powers to ensure that the 2019 governorship election results were not announced.

“As the build up for the 2023 elections and jostle for presidential and vice-presidential tickets is gathering momentum, they want to use COVID-19 to create a crisis as if the state is at war with the federal government.

“They have decided to create unnecessary tension as if indigenes of Ahoada, Eleme, and Port Harcourt are fighting with northerners not to carry out their legitimate businesses,” the statement added..