Briggs Knocks Tinubu, Says Fubara Still Enjoys Popular Support

An environmental and human rights activist, Ann-Kio Briggs, has insisted that President Tinubu unjustly declared the emergency rule in the state.

She argued that the President did no favour to the people by lifting the emergency rule.

Speaking on Thursday in Port Harcourt, Briggs argued that Tinubu has been the problem of the state.

“But let’s not mistake one aspect of what has transpired. Fubara has always had the total organic support of the majority of the people of Rivers State of which, I am one of the majority of the women, from market women to all spheres of career women have supported the governor of Rivers state.

“And as you can see, the people of River State are still in support of Siminialayi Fubara. But now, whether that support that we have for him will be allowed to translate into good governance in the governance of the people, into peace, into security, into development that needs to be seen,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has appealed to the reinstated Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, not to abandon the PDP but to strengthen it and focus on rebuilding the state after months of political turmoil.

Naija News reports that President Bola Tinubu had on March 18 declared a six-month emergency rule in Rivers, suspending Fubara, his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, and members of the State House of Assembly.

The crisis stemmed from a prolonged political feud between Fubara and his predecessor, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

On Wednesday, Tinubu announced the end of the emergency rule and directed the suspended officials to resume office with effect from Thursday.

Reacting to the development, PDP Vice-Chairman (Lagos Central), Hakeem Olalemi, urged Fubara to govern without fear and remain committed to the people’s mandate.

“The governor should not muster any fear; the deed has been done. He should continue strong and be faithful in doing what is expected of him as governor,” Olalemi said in an interview with journalists on Thursday.

“Fubara must make Rivers great again. He should nurture the party that brought him to power into a bigger platform. He should not jettison that party but ensure it becomes stronger in the state and region.”