The Coalition of Ijaw Interest Groups (CIIG), on Wednesday, described the current political situation in Rivers as undemocratic and worrisome.
The group which made the expression in a statement to newsmen in Yenagoa on Wednesday, described the emergency rule in Rivers as unconstitutional.
The statement was signed by Ben Okoro, Efiye Bribena, Chief Denzil Kentebe, Iniruo Wills, Elaye Otrofanowei, Tare Ekpebu and Pattison Boleigha.
Other members of the coalition who endorsed the statement are, Ms. Annkio Briggs, Mrs. Rosemary John-Oduone, Ebitim Egbunukumoh and Yimovie Sakue-Collins
The group said that the political class in the country was foisting its selfish interests on the people.
CIIG further stated that the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers was tantamount to an overthrow of the people’s mandate, saying, “this is unfair”
“It is purely a display of the selfish desire of some politicians to control the state by proxy. This is not acceptable in a democracy.
“We are also alarmed by the unconstitutional conduct of the National Assembly which used questionable voice vote to endorse illegality.
“The National Assembly flagrantly violated the Nigerian constitution and disgraced the legislative process by that endorsement,” the statement read in parts.
The Ijaw group urged President Bola Tinubu to reverse the emergency rule declaration in order to allow democratic rule to have its course in the state.
The coalition said that it was the right of the electorate in Rivers to be governed by a democratically elected government, and to enjoy the dividends of democracy. NAN
