The Rivers State Government has uncovered plans by some citizens of the
State who reside in Abuja to cause a breakdown of law and order in order
to declare a State of Emergency, according to a statement signed by
State Commissioner for Information, Paulinus Nsimiri.
According ro Nsimiri, “These persons whose attempts to declare State of
Emergency in the State since 2015 have never succeeded because of God’s
intervention.
“They did everything within their powers to ensure that the 2019
Governorship Election results were not announced but also failed.
“As the build up for the 2023 elections and jostle for Presidential and
Vice-Presidential tickets is gathering momentum, they want to use
COVID-19 to create a crisis as if the State is at war with the Federal
Government.
“They have decided to create unnecessary tension as if indigenes of
Ahoada, Eleme and Port Harcourt are fighting with Northerners not to
carry out their legitimate businesses.
“People forget history quickly. Since 2015, there have farmers/herdsmen
clashes in Nasarrawa, Plateau, Taraba, Ebonyi, Cross River, Kaduna, Yobe
and Bornu States.
“Throughout this COVID-19 pandemic, States like Enugu, Lagos, Cross
River, Akwa Ibom, Edo and Kaduna States have been intercepting lorries
carrying human beings instead of foodstuffs.
“This is the same thing that the Rivers State Government is doing to
protect the State from COVID-19.
“Bandits have been killing innocent people in Sokoto, Katsina, Zamfara
and Kaduna States and indigenes of these States no matter their
political differences are working together to protect their States.
“But here in Rivers State, instead of supporting our efforts, these
Abuja politicians are busy looking for a State of Emergency because they
want to acquire power.
“We are alarmed at these hideous plots against our State. Rivers State
has never fought a war with strangers or neighbours.
“Our fight against COVID-19 is to protect the lives of everyone living
and doing business in the State.
“We are aware that some shameless politicians are playing politics with
COVID-19.
“No wonder one of the respected chieftains of the All Progressives
Congress (APC) had to expose their plan to use COVID-19 to launch into
the politics of the State.
“This is what we see in the lives of ungodly, dangerous and power hungry
people who claim to love the State.
“After their clandestine meetings they have voted huge sums of money to
entice and recruit gullible persons to carry out their plan.
“All patriotic Rivers State indigenes are hereby placed on alert to
resist the devilish plans of these unpatriotic elements who connive
with enemies of the State to cause confusion.
“As a State, we have always defeated these sadists and with God on our
side, we shall overcome them.”