The All Progressives Congress in Rivers state says it has uncovered plans by Governor Fubara and the PDP in collaboration with some conflict entrepreneurs to institute undemocratic governance at the local government level by the appointment of caretaker committees against the provisions of the constitution.
Publicity Secretary of the party, Chibuike Ikenga disclosed this in a statement Today.
Th statement reads,
“The Chairman and members of the Caretaker Committee of the All Progressives Congress-APC, Rivers State have intercepted plans in the works by Governor Fubara, the PDP and other collaborators to heat the political temperature of the state through actions that are antithetical to the peaceful coexistence of the citizens of the state.
“We have credible intelligence, that Governor Fubara, the PDP in collaboration with some conflict entrepreneurs have concluded plans to institute undemocratic governance at the local government level by the appointment of caretaker committees against the provisions of the constitution, and the local government law of the state which provides for a democratically elected government.
“Furthermore, the constitution of the local government Caretaker committees with the civil servants-the Heads of Local Government as Chairman and others (HLGAs)is an aberration, undemocratic, unconstitutional and a negation of the principle of deepening democratic governance at the local level which will enhance the proper participation of the citizens in their affairs.
“This action will completely exclude the citizens from ensuring transparency, accountability and good governance as the allegiance of the caretaker members will be to the Governor and the PDP as against the people of the Lga.
“With the present socio-economic reality. Particularly, regarding the rate of unemployment, underemployment and other challenges confronting the citizens of the state, the conduct of the local government election would provide ample opportunities for our teeming youths who would take advantage of the process, for proper participation in the electioneering-political processes, governance, gain employment and the overall multiplier effect at improving the living standards of a larger number of the populace.
“This action if allowed will create serious disruptions in the management of the affairs of the local governments. These centripetal forces are at work to ensure a lack of peace and stability in the state.
These plans have also led to the seizure of the local government monthly allocation by the Governor, the PDP, cohorts and the concomitant non-payment of salaries to the Local government workers.
“Against this backdrop, we use this medium to call out Governor Fubara, the PDP and other collaborators to take ONLY actions that can guarantee peace and stability in the state instead of indulging in petty destructive politics as the information revealed.
The buck stops at Governor Fubara’s table and Rivers people and indeed Nigerians will hold the governor responsible for any breakdown of law and order engendered by these actions.
“As an opposition political party in the state, we shall continue to call the attention of the Governor and his party, the PDP to their numerous failures, actions, and inactions towards improving the welfare of the citizens of the state.
