The chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers state, Tony Okocha has said that the suspension of Siminilayi Fubara as the governor solved 90 per cent of the political crisis in the state.
He stressed the political crisis later metamorphosed into a tribal issue as Ijaws threatened fire and brimstone if Fubara was removed.
Okocha disclosed this while addressing a press conference on Thursday in Abuja.
He noted that the state of emergency recently declared by President Bola Tinubu saved Rivers state from anarchy.
The chairman said most of the opposition leaders in the state barely leave where they are hiding because of the fear of the unknown.
Okocha noted that though the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has described the state of emergency as an assault against democracy, however, wondered where NBA was when Fubara demolished the state Assembly.
He stated: “NBA has come out to say the declaration of State of emergency in Rivers was an assault or democracy, but where was NBA when the state Assembly was pulled down.
“Rivers state was headed towards anarchy. Non-state actors were brandishing sophisticated ammunition and threatened that if the governor is impeached they will unleash mayhem.”
Asked if Fubara’s suspension was the only antidote for leave, Okocha noted; “For the immediate, it was necessary. The decision of Mr. President was a necessary evil. Whether the impeachment or suspension as it were today, I can tell you that 90 per cent of the political crisis in Rivers was solved.”
Okocha said it would be difficult to predict what would happen after six months of the state of emergency, saying that if the prevailing circumstances endure, the president might not be in a hurry to lift the suspension.
“It will be difficult to say what will happen after six months. Don’t forget the president says six months in the first instance. If the prevailing circumstances now endure, the president would not be in a hurry to take measures to advance that,” Okocha added.
