Eleven governors in opposition political parties, have condemned the crisis in Rivers State, describing it as a ploy by the Federal Government to declare emergency rule in the oil-rich state.
They made the claim just as the embattled Governor of the State, Rotimi Amaechi, told visiting members of the Senate Committee on State and Local Government Administration, that the state(Rivers) was under siege. Amaechi, who expressed shock over the sudden withdrawal of soldiers and Armoured Personnel Carrier attached to Government House, lamented that security commanders had not held meetings with him in the last two months.
He said, “Yesterday (Wednesday), they were shooting tear-gas canisters into Government House. When we were meeting with the Deputy Inspector-General, the police claimed that it was inadvertent that they shot tear-gas canisters into the Government House.
“So, I asked one question. Supposing it was a live bullet and it hit me? and they said, ‘No, the governor was not outside.’ But I said I was outside.
“We are under siege here. For two months now, we have not met with security men. Security commanders in the state don’t come to me any longer. They are either scared or they deliberately don’t want to see me.”
Amaechi’s allegation is almost in tandem with the Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu’s belief that the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command, Joseph Mbu, had become the governor of the crisis-ridden state.
The 11 opposition governors, who are members of the Action Congress of Nigeria, All Nigeria Peoples Party, Congress for Progressive Change and All Progressives Grand Alliance, said in a statement in Abuja on Thursday, that what was happening in Rivers State, was an assault on Nigeria’s democracy.
Their statement, which was made available to journalists, reads in part, “Events in Rivers State resulting in the shameful occupation of the State Government House by members of the Nigeria Police Force on Wednesday, July 10, 2013 are a direct assault on Nigeria’s democracy.
“These developments are not only worrisome but outright condemnable as an affront to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“The Progressive Governors’ Forum unequivocally condemns the ill-disguised attempt to create a state of emergency in Rivers State by plunging the state into a needless and avoidable crisis.
“All available evidences surrounding the events of Tuesday and Wednesday indicated that the Rivers State Police Commissioner, Mr. Mbu, and his men did not act in a professional manner.
“Before now, the Police Commissioner had exhibited very clear bias against the Governor (Amaechi) and other state officials. This is a dangerous development that would only produce anarchy with unpredictable consequences.”
They added that events of July 9 and 10 in the state represented “acts sponsored by anarchists,” whose interest included subverting democracy and exposing the lives of democratically elected representatives to great danger.
According to them, “The constitutional responsibility of the State House of Assembly is being impeded and in the circumstance the House of Representatives has voted to take over the functions of the state Assembly as provided under Section 11(4) of the 1999 Constitution.
“It is very clear to all discerning Nigerians that the crisis in Rivers State is a product of intolerance and highhanded attempts to undermine our rights as governors acting under the Nigeria Governors’ Forum to freely choose our leaders.”
Some members of the opposition strongly believe that the crisis is not unconnected with the NGF election, it is a believe that the Anti Amaechi camp are trying to use every strategy they have to destabilize Amaechi and his administration.