The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide has described as an affront on the rights of Rivers people and nothing short of a “full-blown military dictatorship in action”, the suspension of political appointees, special advisers, boards and commissions in Rivers State.
The Rivers State Government on Wednesday announced the immediate suspension of political office holders and appointees in the state.
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A press statement signed by the Chief of Staff, the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ekwe Ibas said suspensions were “pursuant to the powers conferred on the Administrator by President Bola Tinubu.”
The statement listed those suspended to the Secretary to the State Government (SSG); the Chief of Staff and the Commissioners.
Others are Chairmen and members of all Boards, councils of agencies, commissions, institutions and parastatals.
The suspension, which took effect Wednesday, also affected special advisers, special assistants and senior special assistants.
The affected officers were instructed to hand over to permanent secretaries in their ministries, departments and agencies, MDAs and where there might not be permanent secretaries, they are to hand over to the most senior director/head of administration.
But the IYC, in its reaction, condemned the action, warning that Rivers State might be on the way to coming under full-blown military dictatorship.
The council, in a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Maobuye Nangi Obua, called it a “brazen attempt to loot the state dry”.
Obua said, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, that to secure these rights governments are instituted among men.
“The latest announcement by the Rivers State Administrator, Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, suspending statutory commissions and boards with clear tenures in Rivers State is an affront to the rights of Rivers people and nothing short of a full-blown military dictatorship in action.
“This reckless move, executed under the guise of presidential authority, is a desperate attempt to remove all possible checks and balances to facilitate the looting of Rivers State’s resources.
“This action has grave security implications. By creating disaffection and sidelining legitimate government officials, the Administrator is fueling political instability and pushing Rivers State towards crisis. The people of Rivers State will not be deceived—this is not about governance; it is about consolidating power to continue the reckless looting of the state’s treasury.
“We categorically condemn this dictatorial action and call on all Rivers people to stand against this blatant abuse of power. The state belongs to the people, not to a cabal of political opportunists seeking to milk it dry. Democracy must be restored, and the Rivers people must not be silenced.”
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