The ruling All Progressive Congress(APC) has backed President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, saying the suspended governor, Siminalayi Fubara, asked for the emergency rule, reports thegazellenews.com.
APC spokesman Felix Morka, in a statement, listed the many impeachable offenses of Fubara, noting that through his actions and inactions, he brought the state of emergency on Rivers.
According to him, the suspended governor is the author of the extreme events that have unfolded in Rivers State. He added that when Fubara brazenly demolished the Rivers State House of Assembly, he destroyed the very foundation of democracy in the state.
Morka said that when Fubara governed the state without a legislature, he effectively ended government in the state. He stressed that by expending state funds without valid legislative appropriation, Fubara stripped himself of all constitutional protections of the office of Governor.
“There cannot be a governor without a legislature and a judiciary. All three arms of government, although separate in their constitutional powers, must co-exist in order to have a government recognized by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“As the Supreme Court confirmed, there was no government in the state and there had not been a government since Fubara destroyed the state legislature. By his reckless actions, Fubara asked for and set the stage for this outcome.
“The declaration of a state of emergency by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was a necessary, constitutionally backed measure to protect lives and property and extend governance to the good people of Rivers State. The safety and well-being of the people are paramount at this time and must trump all political considerations.
“Again, President Tinubu has demonstrated courage and leadership in forestalling a looming breakdown of law and order in the state,” Morka said.
