THREE groups under the aegis of Arewa Youth Alliance (AYA), Concerned Human Rights (CHR) and Vote for Service Initiative (VSI) have urged President Mohammadu Buhari not to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State following last week’s re-run election in the state that was characterized by violence.
According to a statement signed by AYA’s President, Comrade Abubakar Kudu; VSI’s President, Mr Adeola Samuel-Ilori; and CHR’s Coordinator, Comrade Declan Ihiekiare, the groups observed that during the election, regions in Rivers State were highly militarized with several illegal arms in the possession of several unemployed youths who constitute about 60 per cent of the population. “We, however, call for caution and circumspection in this regard, as
“We, however, call for caution and circumspection in this regard, as this issue is not as simplistic as that. We urge Mr. President not succumb to such self-serving calls for the declaration of a state of emergency in that state.
Doing so will be an open invitation for the return of militancy. And the President as the father of the nation should not be partisan on this issue,” they said.
They said if a state of emergency was declared, the only thing that would change is the dismantling of the political structures, stressing that it would not improve on the security situation in the state.
“Politically, it would be suicidal for the present government to embark on such a move while the nation is still battling with the Boko Haram insurgency. We don’t know how the government would justify such a move while over 500 Agatu people in Benue State have been massacred without any state of emergency being declared.”
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