Nigerian president, Bola Tinubu, has been asked to “urgently and decisively” call the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (retd.) to order over his alleged missteps in the state.
The National Patriotic Coalition, a pro-democracy organisation, stated this on Wednesday during a press conference in Lagos State, noting that it had earlier warned that the “emergency rule” would tilt towards the abuse of executive power as it is inimical to the spirit and tenets of democracy.
Newsmen reports that women groups also protested during the week against the administration of Ibas, while demanding for the return of the democratically elected leaders.
The coalition at the press conference stated that it had envisaged such excesses in Rivers State when it kicked against the declaration of emergency rule.
It said, “As fervent adherents of our political ideologies, we are deeply concerned about not just the growth of politics in Nigeria but also about its development and the full entrenchment of the ethos of democracy in the country. We are compelled to call on Mr. President to urgently and decisively call the Sole Administrator of Rivers State Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (retd.) to order before his excesses go out of hand completely.
“It is our consistent fear and strongly our avowal that every form of emergency rule certainly tilts disproportionately towards the abuse of executive power, which is inimical to the spirit and tenets of democracy and is therefore an affront to the rule of law, the principle of separation of power and the principle of checks and balance, this is exactly what is happening in Rivers State.
“The purported probe of Governor Fubara and his Deputy goes beyond the terms of reference for the proclamation of State of Emergency in Rivers State. It is a clear exhibition of gross impulsiveness and unintelligent power drunkenness and witch-hunt. This must stop immediately and the administrator must focus on what he has been asked to do in Rivers State for the next few months, which is to ensure stability in that state.
“It must be noted that Governor Fubara was only suspended but not removed or expelled, neither impeached and still enjoys certain privileges of his office, which invariably includes his immunity.
“It is preposterous and extremely painful that, ever since his assuming the saddle of ruler-ship, the sole administrator has revealed an intolerant and vindictive approach to governance in Rivers State and demonstrated clear animosity against the suspended governor.”
“We call on the sole administrator to take advantage of the 11-man committee set up by the Federal House of the Representatives to oversee legislative duties in Rivers state, if he has any axe to grind and not resort to underhand tactics and undemocratic means.”
