The Rivers State Government says there are plans by certain individuals to cause crisis that will lead to the declaration of a State of Emergency in the State.
The State government alleged that the planners of the crisis are Rivers politicians resident in Abuja.
Commissioner for Information and Communications in the State, Paulinus Nsirim raised the alarm in a statement.
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Nsirim stated that the characters behind the plot were the same persons whose alleged plan, “to declare a State of Emergency in the State since 2015 has not succeeded because of God’s intervention.”
He claimed that the alleged plan was to use the COVID-19 pandemic to launch the attack in the State, adding that huge sums of funds have been deployed to fund the purpose.
The Rivers State government expressed concern that the Federal government may be in tune with the plan despite the stability of security in the State against reports of persistent bandits attacks from Kaduna, Zamfara and Borno States.
“They did everything within their powers to ensure that the 2019 Governorship Election results were not announced but also failed.
“As the build up for the 2023 elections and jostle for Presidential and Vice-Presidential tickets is gathering momentum, they want to use COVID-19 to create a crisis as if the State is at war with the Federal Government.
“They have decided to create unnecessary tension as if indigenes of Ahoada, Eleme and Port Harcourt are fighting with Northerners not to carry out their legitimate businesses.
“People forget history quickly. Since 2015, there have farmers/herdsmen clashes in Nasarrawa, Plateau, Taraba, Ebonyi, Cross River, Kaduna, Yobe and Bornu States.
“Throughout this COVID-19 pandemic, States like Enugu, Lagos, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Edo and Kaduna States have been intercepting lorries carrying human beings instead of foodstuffs.
“This is the same thing that the Rivers State Government is doing to protect the State from COVID-19.
“Bandits have been killing innocent people in Sokoto, Katsina, Zamfara and Kaduna States and indigenes of these States no matter their political differences are working together to protect their States.
“But here in Rivers State, instead of supporting our efforts, these Abuja politicians are busy looking for a State of Emergency because they want to acquire power.
“We are alarmed at these hideous plots against our State. Rivers State has never fought a war with strangers or neighbours.
“Our fight against COVID-19 is to protect the lives of everyone living and doing business in the State.
“We are aware that some shameless politicians are playing politics with COVID-19.
“No wonder one of the respected chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) had to expose their plan to use COVID-19 to launch into the politics of the State.
“This is what we see in the lives of ungodly, dangerous and power hungry people who claim to love the State.
“After their clandestine meetings they have voted huge sums of money to entice and recruit gullible persons to carry out their plan.
“All patriotic Rivers State indigenes are hereby placed on alert to resist the devilish plans of these unpatriotic elements who connive with enemies of the State to cause confusion.
“As a State, we have always defeated these sadists and with God on our side, we shall overcome them,” he said.
AFRICA TODAY NEWS, NEW YORK