Rivers Gradually Relapsing Into State Of Anarchy – Tambuwal

SPEAKER, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AMINU TAMBUWAL (2ND-L) DEPUTY SPEAKER, EMEKA IHEDIOHA AND REP. LEO OGOR, AFTER THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PLENARY IN ABUJA ON TUESDAY (21/1/14)
SPEAKER, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AMINU TAMBUWAL (2ND-L) DEPUTY SPEAKER, EMEKA IHEDIOHA AND REP. LEO OGOR, AFTER THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PLENARY IN ABUJA ON TUESDAY (21/1/14)

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, on Tuesday declared that the political crisis in Rivers State has presented Nigeria with a “situation of gradual relapse into anarchy”.

The Speaker, who stated this in an address to welcome members of the House back from the Christmas, New Year and Eid-el-Maulud recess, described the Rivers situation as “lamentable” and expressed concern it had semblance with what was playing out in Ogun and Borno.

The Speaker noted that the security of life and property was the primary purpose of government and that any action taken that cost citizens their lives portrayed government as failing in its responsibility.

Tambuwal said, “Recent developments in some parts of the country concerning civil liberties and the safety of lives and properties of citizens are a matter for serious concern. The incidences in Rivers State, the one in Ogun and the other in Borno bear all the trappings of impunity, which must be eschewed at all cost if we hope to continue to deepen our democracy.

“On the part of government, it is imperative to be constantly reminded that the security and welfare of the people is the primary purpose of government. Accordingly, governance must be subject to the strict observance of the Rule of Law and good conscience, therefore civility rather than impunity should be our guide at all times and in all situations.

“The incidences in question exhibit an unacceptable level of either failure of government or abdication of responsibility, neither of which should be encouraged in our polity.

“The situation in Rivers State is lamentable because the joint resolutions of the Senate and House of Representatives aimed at dousing the tensed political atmosphere have been ignored and today we are having a situation of gradual relapse into anarchy”.