The Coalition of Rivers State Professionals says youths are being paid to stage protests as part of efforts to instigate violence amidst the ongoing local government council chairmen tenure elongation crisis in the state.
Architect Ipalibo West Mnia, noted this while speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, June 25, 2024 in Port Harcourt.
“I want to tell you that the crowds you see on the streets today in Port Harcourt are hired crowds. They are not youths that are interested in the development of this state.
“No right thinking person or no right thinking youth of their state will at this moment, in the political life of Rivers State, come out to the streets in an administration of a man that has set the pace in good governance in this country.
He Alleged that “What is happening on the streets of Port Harcourt today is like playing the ostrich game. Politicians who are not interested in the development of this state are somewhere sponsoring anarchy.
“What they are trying to do in Rivers State is to push the people to react, so that a statement of emergency can be declared in Rivers State and I tell you, take it to the bank, we have not got near any level of declaring a State of emergency in Rivers State, and by the grace of God, it will never happen in Rivers State.”
He however gave a nod of approval to the presence of the police at the council, saying it in the interest of the state.
“For the police taking over the council, I think it is the interest of Rivers state, because you can see that if not for the fact that these police men or security agencies are occupying the local government councils, you’ll wonder how it would have been with these youths that have been paid money to enter the streets to demonstrate against a very peaceful government, very development oriented government.”
Mnia, maintained that the institution of the CTC by the governor is appropriate, saying there’s no room for vacancy in governance.
The group’s DG also dissociated the coalition from anybody or groups attempting to undermine civil governance in the state, as he pledged the body’s unwavering support for Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
“It is indeed very necessary that the coalition for Rivers State Professionals, CORPS, a body made up of members of various professional groups and networks in Rivers State drawn from diverse endeavours in the private, public and government sectors, expressly declare our total and unalloyed commitment to good governance in our dear state and show solidarity to the executive governor or Rivers State, H. E Sir Siminalayi Fubara as he marks his first year in office.”
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