The All Progressives Congress (APC) says the governor of Rivers, Siminalayi Fubara, is the “supreme architect” of the ongoing crisis in the state.
The APC is reacting to a statement made by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) alleging plan to take over the government of Rivers forcefully.
Via a statement on issued on Thursday, Felix Morka, APC national spokesperson, said the opposition party made the “fake” claim without tackling the issues plaguing the state.
Morka said since Governor Fubara assumed office, he has allegedly shown a disdain for the rule of law.
“Quite contrary to the PDP’s misplaced quibbles against Chief Okocha’s comments, Governor Siminalayi Fubara is the supreme architect of the horrific crisis rocking Rivers state,” the statement reads.
“Since assuming office over a year ago, Governor Fubara has displayed reckless disdain for the rule of law and democratic institutions and conducted his government in flagrant violation of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“In an unprecedented display of autocratic arrogance, Governor Fubara declared the democratically elected Rivers state House of Assembly to be non-existent and, without lawful authority, constituted a bogus and an illegal 3-man sham Assembly in brazen violation of express provisions of the Constitution on the threshold composition of the House of Assembly and in disregard of the separation of powers doctrine.
“The Governor has continued to expend public funds without lawful appropriations by a duly constituted legislature, thereby undermining the will of the good people of Rivers State and their right to effective and accountable democratic governance.”
Morka added that a “serious and focused” governor would have put in place a clear programme to conduct local government elections in the state.
Other than the rift with Nyesom Wike, minister of federal capital territory (FCT), which has torn apart the Rivers house of assembly, the state is grappling with another crisis at the local government level.