RIVERS STATE OF EMERGENCY, A POSITIVE DECISION: NNPP

 

Rivers: No responsible govt. ‘ll watch things worsen before acting – NNPP

Lagos, March 22, 2025 (NAN)                        The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) says it is in support of President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of State of Emergency in Rivers.

According to the party, no responsible government will allow things to fall apart before taking a decision that will benefit its citizens.

NNPP’s National Chairman, Dr Agbo Major, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Lagos.

 Dr Agbo Major....NNPP’s National Chairman

Major pointed out that the decision must have been taken based on information available to the Federal Government.

“President Tinubu is the Chief Security Officer of Nigeria. Information available to him as president from intelligence sources may not be in public purview.

“The government in Rivers was suspended and no one can actually say what would have happened by now, judging from the deepening crisis.

“The crisis was even compounded by some leaders who rather than advise, or make  peace when the crisis was on, allowed it to degenerate before coming up to criticise,” he said.

According to the national chairman , the situation in Rivers was not good enough in relation to security of lives and property of the greater numbers of residents.

“President Tinubu is a leader, and a leader is he or she who can take tough decisions than taking none in a matter of urgent importance.

“It was a hard decision to remove the oil subsidy which none of the past administrations could do , whether it was wrong or right. Tinubu did that and we are gradually getting out of the woods and going forward for good.

“The primary responsibility of government is to protect lives and property of citizens , and general wellbeing and welfare of the greater numbers.”

According to the NNPP scribe, the government must have had more information on the crisis than what we read in the media space to make an informed decision.

“Six-months or less of the emergency rule is for the interest of residents of Rivers, Democracy and Nigeria.

“It is our hope that indigenes of the state shall be street wise and disregard those with personal interests, who are crying fowl.”

Major urged Nigerian leaders to guard their utterances to avoid triggering a situation in Rivers that might spill over to the entire country.

“The mantra of Renewed Hope Agenda for a greater Nigeria should be our focal point, it’s about hard work, trust, science and technology, agriculture, education and rule of law among others.

“Focus should be on constructive criticism that will make for greater performance.

Speaking on Wike, Major noted that as an indigene and former governor of the state, there was nothing wrong if he had stakes and interests in Rivers.

“Wike is a minister and not the Inspector General of Police, Chairman of EFCC, Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Judge of the Federation nor President of Nigeria.

“If our institutions are not compliant to their statutory functions, why can’t we leave Wike alone to live his life.

“Opposition activities to government at the centre is the life wire of democracy and tonic for good governance wherein it is constructive to enhance productivity.

“However, if opposition means that nothing is right with the government at the centre, definitely something is wrong,” he added. (NAN)

By Chioma Ugboma

CHOM/

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