Pro-Democracy Group Denounces Call for Arrests of Local Government Officials in Rivers State

 

A pro-democracy group aligned with Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has strongly criticized the Martin Amaewhule-led faction of the state House of Assembly for seeking the arrest of Local Government Caretaker Committee chairmen and members. The group’s rebuke follows the faction's recent demand for the Nigeria Police Force to detain these officials.

The call for arrest emerged from 27 lawmakers who support Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. This move came in response to a Supreme Court ruling granting financial autonomy to local governments and prohibiting governors from appointing caretaker chairmen.

Governor Fubara had appointed the Rivers State Local Government Caretaker Committee chairmen before the Supreme Court's decision. In reaction to the Amaewhule faction’s demands, the pro-democracy group accused them of inciting disorder and urged law enforcement to disregard their call.

“This is clearly an attempt by Martin Amaewhule and his allies to stir chaos in Rivers State,” the group asserted. “Their actions reflect a deep-seated frustration over their departure from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress. Their demand is nothing short of a call for anarchy.”

The group further urged police and other law enforcement agencies to ignore the faction’s provocative demands and to consider arresting those attempting to incite instability in the state. They emphasized the importance of maintaining order and dismissing efforts that threaten the state’s peace and governance.