The All Progressives Congress (APC) has defended President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, insisting that Governor Siminalayi Fubara is solely responsible for the political crisis that led to the intervention.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the APC’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, accused Fubara of undermining democracy in the state, citing his demolition of the Rivers State House of Assembly and governing without legislative oversight as measures that rendered the state ungoverned.
“When he brazenly demolished the Rivers State House of Assembly, Fubara destroyed the very foundation of democracy in the state.
“When he ‘governed’ the state without a legislature, Fubara ended government in the state.
“When he expended state funds without valid legislative appropriation, Fubara stripped himself of all constitutional protections of the office of Governor,” the statement read.
Morka opined that governance cannot function without the coexistence of the executive, legislative, and judicial arms, stressing that Fubara’s actions left the state in constitutional limbo.
“There cannot be a governor without a legislature and the judiciary.
“All three arms of government, although separate in their constitutional powers, must co-exist to have a government known to 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,” the APC stated.
The APC maintained that Tinubu’s intervention was not only necessary but constitutionally backed to restore governance and protect lives and property in Rivers.
“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 is paramount at this time and must trump all political considerations,” Morka declared.
The APC reiterated its support for the president’s decision, praising Tinubu for taking prompt steps to prevent a total breakdown of law and order in the state.
“Again, President Tinubu has demonstrated courage and leadership in forestalling a looming breakdown of law and order in the state,” the statement concluded.
