The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, has urged Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State not to be deterred but remain committed to upholding democratic principles and ensure that local government administration is managed by democratically elected officials.
The rights group warned that the plan by Fubara to conduct LGA elections must not be thwarted by the previous local government chairmen, who were appointed by the former governor, Nyesom Wike.
HURIWA’s concerns follow the unending political crisis rocking the state, even as the group suggests that the issues in the state appear to be externally induced.
The rights group questioned if powers were instructing the Inspector General of Police to direct the Rivers State Police Command to show loyalty to someone other than Siminalayi Fubara, who is the democratically elected Governor of the State
It stressed that it is both ethically and constitutionally wrong for local government officials to openly challenge the authority of the sitting governor.
In a statement signed by Emmanuel Onwubiko, the National Coordinator of HURIWA, the group urged Governor Fubara to “proceed with the planned elections, saying the step is necessary to comply with the judgment of the Supreme Court, which has reiterated that local government administration must be carried out by democratically elected individuals.”
Speaking further, it added, “It is illegal for members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to publicly announce their defection from the PDP, under which they were elected, to the APC.
The group lamented “The federal executive’s apparent support for actions that undermine democracy in Rivers State,” citing instances “where the police, under federal control, have acted unconstitutionally.
“One notable example was the police takeover of local government secretariats, preventing even appointed officials from governing.
“This action was taken before the Supreme Court’s judgment, and even though Governor Fubara’s appointments were within his constitutional powers.
“[We]urge the Inspector General of Police to ensure that the Rivers State Police Command remains loyal to the Constitution and the properly constituted authority, which is currently Governor Fubara.
“[We]firmly believe that once a governor is democratically elected, they should be allowed to govern without interference, regardless of who facilitated their emergence.
“Fubara won the election and must be allowed to lead and develop Rivers State stably, as he has been doing.
”[We] call on all stakeholders to ensure that Rivers State is not thrown into chaos, as any destabilization of the state would have serious repercussions for the entire South-South region.
“Rivers State, being one of the wealthiest states in the region, plays a crucial role in the economic stability of the South-South, and any attempt to disrupt its governance would be tantamount to destabilizing the entire region.
HURIWA also raised concerns about the possibility of the federal government being complicit in these externally induced attacks, saying it wonders “whether the President might be instructing the Inspector General of Police to direct the Rivers State Police Command to show loyalty to someone other than the governor or the Constitution.”
The group reminded all parties involved that the police are supposed to be loyal to the Constitution and the duly elected governor, who in this case is Governor Fubara.
“Governor Fubara should be allowed to govern the state without unnecessary distractions, just as the immediate past governor, Nyesom Wike, was allowed to complete his tenure and make significant contributions to the state’s infrastructure. The mandate given to Governor Fubara by the people of Rivers State is sacred and should be respected”.
HURIWA alleged, “that the federal government appears to be passively supporting saboteurs who seek to destabilize Rivers State.”
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