By Omoniyi Salaudeen
The Coalition of Ijaw Interest Groups (CIIG) has renewed the call for an immediate restoration of civil rule in Rivers State, declaring the state of emergency foisted on the state as unconstitutional and a rape of democracy.
While condemning the imposition of a Sole Administrator as a flagrant violation of the Nigerian constitution, the group called on the international community and well-meaning Nigerians to prevail on the Federal Government to restore constitutional governance without further delay.
In a statement jointly signed by the representatives of different Ijaw interest bodies, including Efiye Bribena, Chief Denzil Kentebe, Ben Okoro, Ms Annkio Briggs, Elaye Otrofanowei, the group said it aligned itself with the strident voice of prominent citizens like Mr. Atedo Peterside, Ms. AnnKio Briggs, Dame Donu Kogbara, and the Rivers Elders, “who had rightly demanded an immediate halt to this illegality.”
“We see the brazen suspension of the entire apparatus of government (the elected Governor, State House of Assembly members and consequently the appointees of government of Rivers State) through the unconstitutional declaration of a ‘State of Emergency’ by the President as amounting to nothing less than ‘overthrowing’ the mandate of the people and the legitimate and democratically elected government of Rivers state.
“We are fully aligned with the principled positions taken by respected citizens such as Mr. Atedo Peterside, Ms. Annkio Briggs, Dame Donu Kogbara, and the Rivers Elders, who had rightly demanded an immediate halt to this illegality. We also acknowledge and celebrate the indomitable spirit of the various women’s groups that make up the “Rivers Women Unite for Sim”. These women with hearts of lions have continually resisted the Illegitimate Sole Administrator in Rivers State since the unconstitutional swearing-in at Abuja by the President,” the group noted.
The CIIG, however, expressed dismay over Governor Sim Fubara’s nonchalant attitude in defending the mandate given to him by the people of Rivers State. “We are disappointed by the nonchalant attitude of Governor Sim Fubara towards the mandate bestowed on him by the people of Rivers State. His recent attempt to abandon the sacred mandate given to him is most despicable, uncharitable, and bespeaks the larger problem of the democratic processes in Nigeria wherein politicians trade the interests of the people for their selfish personal interests,” it added.
The group further lamented the deteriorating security and socio-economic situation in the country, especially the pervasive poverty, which had received a low level of attention from the governments at all levels.