…Tinubu Saved Rivers State From Political Anarchy
Chairman of the Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Tony Okocha, has described the decision of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors to challenge the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State at the Supreme Court as a welcome development that will enrich Nigeria’s jurisprudence.
Speaking at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja on Thursday, Okocha emphasized that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to impose emergency rule in Rivers was necessary to prevent the state from descending into complete political anarchy.
He argued that without the intervention, Rivers residents would have been forced to live in constant fear due to escalating violence.
“I want to say to you that the State of Emergency called by Mr. President saved Rivers State from anarchy. Indeed, people like us could barely, hardly leave certain places where we hid for fear of the unknown. When you see non-state actors brandishing guns and making statements tailored toward anarchy and lawlessness, then you should know that there is a looming crisis,” Okocha said.
Judicial Precedent on Emergency Rule
Okocha welcomed the PDP governors’ decision to seek judicial interpretation, saying it would provide much-needed legal clarity on the suspension of the governor and Assembly members.
“What some people now say is that the suspension of the governor and Assembly members is wrong. Thank God that I hear that the PDP Governors’ Forum is approaching the Supreme Court. I’m sure you know that there has been no legislation whatsoever on the matter.
“Now that they have gone to the Supreme Court, whatever the outcome is, it will enrich our jurisprudence. I don’t want to take on individuals, but I hear the NBA has come out to say, ‘Oh, it’s an affront on democracy’ and all that.
“But when the Assembly Complex was pulled down, when it was bombed and equipment were destroyed, the NBA was alive, yet we didn’t hear anything from them. So one wonders why there is so much talk now. It’s good that they are approaching the court, and we should allow the Supreme Court to decide on the actions of Mr. President.”
Restoring Security and Order in Rivers
Defending the emergency rule, Okocha described it as a “necessary evil” to restore normalcy to Rivers State.
“With the emergency declared, security and intelligence have been beefed up in Rivers. People like us, who are in the opposition in the state, can now move around freely,” he added.
The Rivers political crisis has continued to generate debate, with different stakeholders offering varying perspectives on the legality and necessity of the emergency rule. The Supreme Court’s ruling on the matter is expected to set a legal precedent for similar situations in the future.
