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In the midst of the recent political unrest in Rivers State, former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dame Aleruchi Cookey-Gam has urged the people to make a stand. She called the recent events “unacceptable” and emphasized that everyone must work together to bring things back to normal.
“I expect that Rivers indigenes should stand up at a time like this for their state to be counted. What has happened in Rivers State is unacceptable, and as much as possible, there must be a concerted effort to make sure that things come back to normal,” Cookey-Gam said in an interview with ARISE NEWS on Friday.
Her remarks follow President Tinubu’s sole administrator, retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas, suspending a large number of political appointees and officeholders in Rivers State.
The Secretary to the State Government, the Chief of Staff, all commissioners, board members, and special advisers were immediately removed as a result of the action, which was revealed by the administrator’s chief of staff on Wednesday. Discussions concerning the decision’s effects on state stability and governance have been triggered.
Cookey-Gam cautioned against any unconstitutional overreach, even though she acknowledged that the selection of a sole administrator left little opportunity for citizen participation. She warned that although Ibas must be impartial in the performance of his duties, meddling with established constitutional systems would be extremely concerning.
“On the part of the citizens, there isn’t much that can be done since the sole administrator has taken office, but in carrying out his responsibilities, he has to be neutral and unbiased. If he starts tampering with structures, particularly those recognised under the constitution, then it becomes a problem for anyone watching his actions,” she noted.
Cookey-Gam further emphasized that the solitary administrator’s main responsibility is to maintain security and restore order, not to take on new tasks or broaden governance frameworks.
“We do not expect that the sole administrator will embark on any new capital projects. His primary responsibility is to bring back law and order. As far as we are concerned, there was no breakdown of law and order. That is his mandate, along with ensuring safety and security for all. There is a limit to the powers he can exercise, and we don’t expect him to appoint a large array of commissioners,” she added.
Many are concerned about the wider ramifications of the federal government’s action, and the situation in Rivers State is still volatile. Cookey-Gam’s call to action serves as a reminder that the people of Rivers State must be involved in determining the state’s destiny, regardless of political appointments and power battles, as political stakeholders continue to respond.
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