The All Progressives Congress (APC) says Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers, is the “supreme architect” of the crisis in the state.
The ruling party is reacting to a comment by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) alleging plots to take over the government of Rivers forcefully.
In a statement on Thursday, Felix Morka, APC national spokesperson, said the opposition party made the “fake” claim without addressing the issues bedevilling the state.
Morka said since assuming office, Fubara 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.”
The APC spokesperson said a “serious and focused” governor would have set a clear programme to conduct local government elections in the state.
Apart from the rift without Nyesom Wike, minister of federal capital territory (FCT), which has torn apart the Rivers house of assembly, the state is witnessing a crisis at the local government level.
BACKGROUND
On Tuesday, Fubara asked the heads of local government administration to assume control of the 23 council areas of the state following the tenure expiration of the chairmen.
Despite the governor’s directive, some former LGA chairmen reportedly attempted to resume duty at the council secretariats but were chased away by youths.
The development sparked political tension in Rivers as residents protested at the LGA secretariats while police officers fired multiple shots into the air to disperse protesters.
Although the governor has sworn in caretaker committee chairs for the LGAs, they have not been allowed to assume their offices.