Groups warn Buhari against state of emergency declaration

Three groups under the aegis of Arewa Youth Alliance, AYA, Concerned Human Rights, CHR, and Vote for Service Initiative, VSI, have warned President Muhammadu Buhari against declaring a state of emergency in Rivers State.

This is coming a week after the violence that marred last week re-run election in Rivers State.

In a statement signed by AYA’s Presidents, Comrade Abubakar Kudu; VSI’s President, Mr Adeola Samuel-Ilori; and CHR’s Coordinator, Comrade Declan Ihiekiare, the groups appealed to the President not to succumb pressure to declare a state of emergence in Rivers.

“We, however, call for caution and circumspection in this regard, as this issue is not as simple as that. We urge Mr. President not succumb to such self-serving calls for the declaration of a state of emergency in that state. Doing so will be an open invitation for the return of militancy. And the President as the father of the nation should not be partisan on this issue,” the statement read.

“Politically, it would be suicidal for the present government to embark on such a move while the nation is still battling with the Boko Haram insurgency.

“We don’t know how the government would justify such a move while over 500 Agatu people in Benue State have been massacred without any state of emergency being declared,” the statement further read.