On the allegation that Fubara allegedly pulled down the assembly complex and refused to reconstruct it, Ehie said,”The job is 80% completed and the contractor fully paid. The administrator on visit to the complex confirmed that is almost completed.
“The governor is a man of peace. The governor decided to follow the way of conflict resolution. In October, I was approached with N5billion bribe against the governor but I refused. The bribe was for impeachment, but I turned it down.”
A former national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and erstwhile minister of agriculture, Audu Ogbeh, has faulted the practice of replacing civilian governors with military appointees during state of emergency.
Speaking on a television programme, he said President Bola Tinubu and his predecessor, Olusegun Obasanjo, had taken similar steps, raising concerns about a return to military-style governance.
Ogbeh warned that the practice could send a damaging message to Nigerians about the ability of civilian leaders to govern themselves.
“The only other thing that I’m asking is: Why is it that each time there is this suspension of a governor, a military person is put back in place?
“Do we miss military rule or are we suggesting that civilians are incapable of governing themselves?
“Obasanjo did it twice, in fact, thrice, and we have it again. What’s the logic? This is why, in the first place, this whole imposition of a state of emergency should be avoided.
“Since the constitution doesn’t say you can only pick this or that person, the president is free to do so, but it’s also sending a funny signal that civilians can’t do the job themselves.
“That’s not a good one. That’s why civilians themselves should be more responsible. Elected individuals should behave themselves and not carry on as if it’s a holiday and that they can do as they wish because they are sending the wrong signal to society,” said Ogbeh.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Police Command had hinted about how it intensified adequate security deployments across the state ahead of yesterday’s Eid-el-Fitr celebrations.
In a statement by the State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, the command explained that the security deployments became necessary to ensure a peaceful and hitch-free festivity in the state.
She said the Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, had directed all Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers (DPOs), and Tactical Units to strengthen patrols, surveillance, and intelligence gathering in all parts of the state.
According to the police spokesperson, “These measures are aimed at preventing any potential security threats and ensuring the safety of residents and visitors before, during and after the festive period.
“The deployment will cover all prayer grounds, recreational centers, markets, motor parks, and other public places where large gatherings are expected.
“Special attention will also be given to flashpoints, entry and exit points, and major highways, including all waterways to prevent criminal activities and ensure safe and secured environment for all citizens.”
In addition to physical security presence, the PPRO revealed that, “the Command has activated a rapid response strategy, with patrol teams and undercover operatives deployed to strategic locations.”
Also, the police, in collaboration with sister security agencies and community stakeholders had enhanced security to ensure seamless coordination and intelligence sharing.
