Following the violence that marred last week re-run election in Rivers State, President Muhammadu Buhari has been urged by three groups under the aegis of Arewa Youth Alliance, AYA, Concerned Human Rights, CHR, and Vote for Service Initiative, VSI, not to declare a state of emergency in the state.
In a statement signed by AYA’s Presidents, Comrade Abubakar Kudu; VSI’s President, Mr Adeola Samuel-Ilori; and CHR’s Coordinator, Comrade Declan Ihiekiare, they appealed to the President not to succumb to those calling for a state of emergence in Rivers.
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 this issue is not as simple 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.
Noting that security situation in the state will not improve if a state of emergency was declared, the groups stressed that the only thing that would change was the dismantling of the political structures
“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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