Sack of SSG, commissioners, others affront on rights of Rivers people -IYC

From Tony John, Port Harcourt

The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has condemned the sacking of all political office holders in Rivers State, saying it was not only dictatorial but also a plot to loot the state’s treasury.

IYC, in a statement by Maobuye Nangi Obu, its secretary-general, described the suspension as “an affront on the rights of Rivers people and nothing short of a full-blown military dictatorship in action.”

   On Wednesday, the Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd), announced the suspension the secretary to the state government, chief of staff, commissioners, chairmen and members of all boards, councils of agencies, commissions, institutions, parastatals, special advisers, special assistants and senior special assistants.

The IYC noted that the suspensions have left the state at the mercy of a few handpicked loyalists.

“This reckless move, executed under the guise of presidential authority, is a desperate attempt to remove all possible checks and balances.

“The  latest announcement by the Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, suspending statutory commissions and boards with clear tenures in Rivers State, is an affront on the rights of Rivers people and nothing short of a full-blown military dictatorship in action.

“This reckless move, executed under the guise of presidential authority, is a desperate attempt to remove all possible checks and balances to facilitate the looting of Rivers State’s resources.

“It is now beyond doubt that the administrator is merely a puppet executing the agenda of former Governor Nyesom Wike, who remains hell-bent on controlling the state and draining its wealth.

“By suspending the Secretary to the State Government, the Chief of Staff, Commissioners, Board members, and Special Advisers, the administrator has effectively crippled the state’s democratic governance, leaving Rivers State at the mercy of a few handpicked loyalists willing to do Wike’s bidding.”

The council warned that the action of the sole administrator has grave security implications, insisting that Rivers people cannot be deceived because the decision is not about governance.

It condemned the emergency rule and called on members of the public to resist the dictatorial tendencies, while demanding the reversal of the declaration and suspension of the state governor by the president.

“By creating disaffection and sidelining legitimate government officials, the administrator is fuelling political instability and pushing Rivers State towards crisis. The people of Rivers State will not be deceived. This is not about governance; it is about consolidating power to continue the reckless looting of the state’s treasury.

“We categorically condemn this dictatorial action and call on all Rivers people to stand against this blatant abuse of power. The state belongs to the people, not to a cabal of political opportunists seeking to milk it dry. Democracy must be restored, and Rivers people must not be silenced.

“We demand an immediate reversal of this illegal suspension and a return to democratic governance. Rivers State must not be turned into the personal estate of a single individual and his cronies.”