Ibim Semenitari, the former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, has expressed her disapproval of attempts by certain political actors to instigate violence in Rivers State.
Semenitari considers this action as “unnecessary and avoidable.”
She believes that such a crisis would not bring any benefits to the state and urges an immediate halt.
Having experienced numerous political crises in the state, Semenitari emphasizes that Rivers State has never been the ultimate beneficiary.
She states, “This state has faced too many political crises, and it has never emerged as the winner. Each time, both the economy and the people have suffered.
“We cannot continue to sink into this sorrowful quagmire while other states progress politically and economically.”
Semenitari, who also served as the state Commissioner for Information and Communication from 2009 to 2015, condemns the attempts to impeach the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
She finds it outrageous that only six months into the administration, someone would contemplate impeaching the governor.
She further adds, “This goes against all that is honorable. The Nigerian Constitution is clear on this matter: a sub-nation in the Nigerian federation should have only one elected governor, serving a renewable four-year tenure. Then why would anyone want to nullify the election results?”
She also denounces the crisis in the state House of Assembly, an essential branch of government responsible for governing the state.
Semenitari emphasizes that the independence and smooth operation of the legislative arm are crucial for the state’s stability. She warns, “We must be cautious of those who seek to disrupt the Rivers State House of Assembly, as this only benefits anti-democratic forces and hinders the state’s critical development.
“The state legislature must be allowed to fulfill its constitutional role of promoting significant development through well-crafted and tested legislation. The attempt to use the state House of Assembly to undermine an elected executive is harmful to the conscience and well-being of Rivers State.”
Addressing the role of security personnel, Semenitari urges law enforcement agencies to distinguish between loyalty to Nigerian taxpayers and political actors.