APC calls for declaration of state of emergency in Rivers
The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has asked the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in the state.
Tony Okocha, chairman of the caretaker committee of the party in Rivers, made the demand in a press conference on Wednesday.
Okocha said governor Siminialayi Fubara and security agencies in the state are “helpless”.
The APC chieftain said the federal government needs to “act fast” in Rivers, following the decision of some former local government chairmen who attempted to continue in office.
“The governor is helpless; the police are helpless,” the APC caretaker chairman said.
“Therefore, the APC in Rivers State is calling for a state of emergency in the state as a way of taming the mayhem, and the upsurge that is going on in the state.
“I call on the federal government to act fast in this regard.”
On Tuesday, Fubara asked the heads of local government administration to assume control of the 23 council areas of the state following the tenure expiration of the chairmen.
Despite the governor’s directive, some of the former the former chairmen reportedly attempted to resume duty at the council secretariat but were eventually chased away by youths.
The development sparked political tension in Rivers as residents protested at some of the LGA secretariats in the state.
On Wednesday, the governor swore in caretaker committee chairs for all the 23 local council areas in the state.