Governors
from the North who paid a solidarity visit to Governor Rotimi Amaechi of
Rivers state in Port Harcourt today have issued a joint statement
threatening to stop funding the police force if the authorities fail to
redeploy the Commissioner of Police in Rivers, Mbu Joseph Mbu whose
activities they describe as partisan and unprofessional.
Their statement reads in full: “We have come to visit with our
colleague and brother the Governor of Rivers State Rt. Hon Chibuike
Rotimi Amaechi, CON, Chairman Nigeria Governors Forum The visit is to
ascertain for ourselves some of the things we have read in papers, seen
on television and heard on radio which are threats to peace, security
and democracy.
We are pleased to notice the
peaceful atmosphere in town and that people in the state are going about
their normal business and that the governor and government are in
charge. This is especially reassuring as opposed to the organised
protest by a handful of persons at the Port Harcourt Airport when we
arrived.
Having interacted with our
colleague and other persons, we are shocked at the role of the police in
Rivers State and condemn its clear partisanship in the show of shame
that took place at the Rivers State House of Assembly.
As Chief Executives of our
states who have sworn to protect lives and properties in our various
states, we are particularly troubled by the development in Rivers State.
We commend the House of Representatives for its proactive
leadership in the crisis and appreciate the Senate committee’s
thoroughness in addressing the matter.
We wish to call on the Inspector General of police to hearken to
the voice of reason and immediately redeploy and discipline Commissioner
Mbu. His actions smirk of unprofessionalism and political partisanship
which is unbecoming of his office.
With the way the police is being used and abused and with officers
like Mbu in the force, we do not see the need for state governments to
fund an antagonistic police and may be forced to reconsider our position
on the financial contribution of the states towards the funding of the
Nigeria Police.
Arising from the actions of the police and Mr. Joseph Mbu in Rivers
State, the call for state police as a constitutional provision has
become a necessity.
We note that events in Rivers State have again brought to the fore
the question of true federalism and the need for institutions derived
from constitutions be allowed to function without undue interference. As
federating units we must be allowed the space to guarantee our people
sustainable development as provided by the constitution.
We acknowledge the great work Governor Amaechi and his team are
doing in Rivers State and commend his maturity and calm even in the face
of apparent persecution.
We join well meaning Nigerians to call on all political actors to
diffuse tension and stop all actions capable of overheating the polity
and derailing our nascent democracy. We must all work together to build
one united and indivisible nation and strengthen our democracy.
HE Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu (CON)
Chief Servant, Niger State
HE Dr. Sule Lamido (CON)
Governor, Jigawa State
HE Dr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso
Governor, Kano State
HE Vice Adm. Mutala Nyako (Rtd) GCON, CFR
Governor, Adamawa State
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