The Government of Cross River State has distanced itself from the position of the South South Governors’ Forum on the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State.
Acting Governor, Dr. Peter Odey, made the position of the state known in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Ekpong.
Odey said the state government fully aligns itself with President Bola Tinubu’s quest to bring peace and stability to the oil rich state.
He said the South South Governors’ Forum did not consult the state before it came out with its position opposing the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State.
The forum, through its Chairperson and Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, issued a statement on Thursday stating the opposition of the governors to the emergency rule.
Diri, had in the statement said the political situation in Rivers State did not deteriorate to the point where an emergency rule was required.
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Odey said: “The position of the forum does not reflect the views of the government of Cross River , which fully aligns with the decision of Mr President, taken in the best interest of national security, peace, and stability.
“Every responsible government must prioritise the protection of lives and property, and where circumstances necessitate decisive action, such measures should be supported for the greater good of our democracy and national unity.
“Cross River remains committed to upholding constitutional governance and will continue to collaborate with the federal government in ensuring peace, security, and stability across the country.”
Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State had earlier disassociated himself from the forum’s rejection of the emergency rule in Rivers State.
According to a statement on Thursday by his spokesperson, Fred Itua, Okpebholo said the forum’s statement did not receive his approval and that he was neither consulted nor informed about it.
Itua said: “President Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, understands the issues at stake.
“Governor Okpebholo supports actions so far taken by President Tinubu that will bring lasting solutions and peace to Rivers State and the South-South geopolitical zone.”
The National Assembly on Thursday approved the declaration of a state of emergency by President Tinubu in Rivers State.
The Red Chamber, which met behind closed-doors, ratified the six-month suspension of Governor Sim Fubara; his deputy, Ngozi Odu; and all elected members of the state House of Assembly, as announced by Tinubu, through voice vote.
In approving the emergency rule, the Senate, however, said the National Assembly should oversight the activities of the sole administrator, Obot-Ette Ibas, a former Chief of Naval Staff.
The Senate also recommended the setting up of a group of eminent Nigerians, who would meet with the warring parties in the Rivers State political tussle.
The House of Representatives, which sat earlier, also approved Tinubu’s emergency rule in Rivers State.
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