The All Progressives Congress has reacted vehemently to the blockade by the police in Rivers state, the Rivers State Government house, denying Governor Chibuike Amaechi access into the government house last night.
In a statement released by the Progressives Governors Forum, the governors condemned in clear terms the actions of the Police in Rivers state, saying the news was received with shock and disbelief, saying the action by the police simply undermined the powers of the governor as the Chief Security Officer of the state as provided by the 1999 Nigerian Constitution.
The statement said that the action of the Rivers Police Command is an assault on constitutional rule and portends a descent to anarchy.
The statement made reference to the political situation in the state since July 2013 and they however fear is a threat to upholding democracy in the country, as they also expressed fear for the life of the Rivers state governor Amaechi and his officers equally, they also wondered if same will not be done to the President of the country, President Goodluck Jonathan as federal authorities have failed to exercise authority to ensure the speedy resolution of the crisis that has been lingering in the state.
The Progressives Forum called on Nigerians to stand up in order to stamp moves that will underme the constitution of the country.
“This is unfortunate and all Nigerians must rise to this challenge by calling on the Federal Government and all its agencies, including all arms of the security services to respect the letter and spirit of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution.
“In the specific case of Rivers State, provisions of Section 215(4) of the 1999 Constitution must be fully respected. This section provides that the Governor “may give to the Commissioner of Police of that state such lawful directions with respect to the maintenance and security of public safety and public order within the state as he may consider necessary and the Commissioner of Police shall comply with those directions or cause them to be complied with”.
The governors under the aegis of the new merger party, APC condemned the Federal Government for bullying and intimidating governors in the country with its constitutional powers, that it should be resisted for it is unacceptable in the democratic setting.
“A situation whereby the Federal Government will use powers vested in it under the constitution to bully and intimidate state governments is unacceptable and should be resisted by every democratic government. As Governors, we view events of September 12 in Rivers as a direct affront on constitutional order in the country. We wish to unequivocally state our resolve to work with all democrats in the country to ensure adequate protection of democratic governance.”