Amaechi Faction of Rivers APC Rejects State of Emergency Call by Rival Group

 A faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, loyal to former Minister for Transportation Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has dismissed calls for a state of emergency made by a rival faction. This call was in response to the crisis over the tenure extension of former local government chairpersons.

Nwauju, the spokesperson for Amaechi’s faction, dismissed the state of emergency request made by members of the Tony Okocha-led Caretaker Committee of the APC in Rivers State. He labeled members of the Okocha faction as impostors.

"I wish to inform the people of the State that the APC in Rivers State did not hold any meeting or consultations among its members or leaders to decide that the best strategy to address the brewing political crisis is to demand a state of emergency," Nwauju stated.

He further clarified, "There were no such consultations or meetings, so this cannot represent the collective opinion of APC members across the 390 wards in Rivers State. I want to dispel such a rumor and dismiss it as unnecessary, illogical, and unpatriotic. Rivers State must have other means to settle these political issues."

Nwauju cautioned Okocha, emphasizing the strategic role Rivers State plays in Nigeria's economy and the need for careful handling of political suggestions and challenges. He expressed hope for peace in Rivers State and criticized actions that ferment trouble or cause confusion.

"Our prayer remains that the God of Heaven shall bring peace to Rivers State. May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria," Nwauju concluded.

Tony Okocha's faction had called on President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State due to the breakdown of law and order over the local government council chairpersons' tenure issue. Governor Siminalayi Fubara had appointed and sworn in caretaker committees following the state house of assembly's approval, loyal to the governor, after the council chairmen's tenure expired.

However, some council chairmen loyal to Nyesom Wike, the Minister for the Federal Capital Territory, rejected this move, triggering violence in parts of the state. Okocha claimed the governor and police were helpless, thus necessitating a state of emergency.