Dakuku Peterside condemns disruption of govt activities in Rivers
…Says Rivers State now a “theatre of the absurd”
…Urges political actors to give State Gov space to do his job
2015 Rivers State Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Dakuku Peterside, has condemned the disruption of normal governmental activities in Rivers State by politically motivated interests.
In a statement titled “Let Reason Prevail,” Peterside appealed to all political actors to allow Governor Nyesom Wike to do his job without interference.
The statement came after suspected arsonists bombed the state House of Assembly located along Moscow Road in Port Harcourt on Sunday.
The explosion was reportedly an attempt to prevent lawmakers from carrying out their planned impeachment, but the fire service was able to put out the fire and prevent further damage.
On Monday, the state of Rivers was thrown into chaos as 24 members of the State House of Assembly attempted to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara. In response, the governor’s supporters stormed the assembly complex, expressing their opposition to the scheme.
Reacting to the issue, Peterside expressed his disbelief and disgust at the recent developments in Rivers State. He condemned the escalating violence and the disruption of normal governmental activities, calling on all people of goodwill to join him in condemning these actions.
Dr Peterside emphasised that the once peaceful Rivers State has been transformed into a “theatre of the absurd” by desperate political actors who do not have the best interests of the state at heart.
He urged all political leaders to be mindful of their actions and to rein in their excesses, emphasising that personal interests or ambitions should never override the interest of the state and its people.
Addressing the impeachment issues that have been raised in the media, Dr Peterside stated that it is inconceivable for such matters to arise within just five months of incumbency.
He further asserted that there is no evidence to suggest that the Executive Governor has compromised the state’s interests or plunged it into a severe security crisis.
Appealing to all political actors, Dr Peterside called for patience and space to allow the Governor to carry out his duties effectively.
He reminded them that only one Governor can function at a time and urged members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to focus on their legislative responsibilities rather than being distracted by personal ego or narrow pecuniary interests.
The statement partly reads, “Our once peaceful Rivers State has been turned into a theatre of the absurd by desperate political actors who do not wish the State well.
“I condemn, in all ramifications, the raw violence that followed what should ordinarily be average political engagements
“I also completely condemn the unwarranted disruption of normal governmental activities by politically motivated interests. All people of goodwill who love our dear State and democracy must condemn this in no mean measure.
“I have read in the media, impeachment issues and the like. In good conscience, impeachment issues cannot arise in less than 5 months of incumbency. It sends the wrong signal that our State is a land of theatrics.
“Nothing in the political landscape has shown that the Executive Governor has compromised the State’s interest or put our State in a severe security quagmire.
“I have always said that no pursuit of personal interest or ambition can override the interest of Rivers State and its people. We, political leaders, must always watch our actions and tame our excesses.
“I appeal to all political actors to allow time and space for the Governor to do his job. Only one Governor can function at a time. I also appeal to members of RSHA to focus on the business of law-making and get less distracted by the pursuit of personal ego or narrow pecuniary interest.
“Finally, I appeal to all leaders in Rivers State to intervene in measured terms with the overall interest of our State in mind. Posterity will judge all of us. Let us allow reason to prevail, please.”
