Rivers’ crises: It’s a political disagreement – Mark

Mr. Ibrahim Mark, a legal practitioner and
former General Secretary of Nigerian Bar
Association, NBA, is a chieftain of the Peoples
Democratic Party, PDP. In this interview, he
speaks on the Rivers State crisis, the prevailing
political situation in the country, the role of
individuals in the crisis and other national
issues. Excerpts:

By Innocent Anaba

As a stakeholder in Rivers State, how do you
feel about the political crisis rocking the state?
I will call it a political disagreement first, only
to add that to bring violent dimension to it is
highly condemnable. It is normal to disagree in
politics, but it should not degenerate to
violence where cudgels and other dangerous
weapons will be used. It is, therefore,
important that we play by the rules at all times
and remember that posterity will judge us.
What do you consider to be the real cause of
the crisis?
It is the refusal to preach, adhere to and
follow the rule of law. On April 15, an Abuja
High Court, gave judgment declaring Felix
Obuah as the duly-elected Chairman of PDP
Rivers State. The erstwhile chairman did appeal
to the Court of Appeal, but the governor, Mr
Rotimi Amaechi and his side of the divide
failed, refused and neglected to accept the
verdict of the court and have been pouring
invectives on the judiciary.

The governor in collaboration with the House
of Assembly suspended duly elected local
government officials, including the 17
councilors, and setup a caretaker committee
contrary to the provisions of the Nigerian
Constitution and Local Government Law of
Rivers State. The alleged allegation was against
the chairman, but the councilors were joined
in the suspension.
What is the provision of the Rivers State Local
Government law in this respect?
The Local Government Law of Rivers State
provides that where the council is suspended,
the Director of Personnel will hold brief and
not a caretaker committee. The Nigeria
constitution in Section 7 has outlawed the
phenomenon called caretaker committee. The
members they call the group of five had their
constituency projects, allowances seized and
any contrary view is regarded as a looter.
Somebody has decided to play godand the
lord of the manor. No respect for constituted
authority, no respect for elders, no respect for
dissenting views. Somebody wants to close the
political space.
When the current PDP chairman, Felix Obuah
went to court to reclaim his mandate, the
government went after him by compulsorily
acquiring his hotel in the village of Omoku for
purposes of primary school. This is a village
that has land in surplus. The chairman had to
go to court to halt the intended acquisition. In
a democracy, all these will be resisted, hence
what you may term crises.
On speculations that the crises are externally
motivated
Certain persons outside are trying to
exacerbate the problem. Obuah went to court
to reclaim his mandate, the opposition
lawmakers are in Port Harcourt, so no external
motivation, save as I did say that some
external persons through their utterances tend
to make the matter grow in size. All the
gladiators are Rivers sons and daughters and
ordinarily resident in Rivers State.
The politicians termed external influence in the
matter are the four PDP governors that went
for a so called solidarity visit, namely
Babangida Aliyu, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Murtala
Nyako and Sule Lamido.
What is their business in Rivers State if not to
escalate the crises especially in their blind rage
and hatred for President Goodluck Jonathan?
In the coming days, we shall see how their
visit has helped their host.
The North has been a very good ally of Rivers
people but now, they have started sowing the
seed of discord for their selfish interest. Our
people still appreciate our Northern brothers
and sisters and will not like the malfeasance of
a minute crowed of four self seeking vain glory
come between us.
It is widely speculated that the Presidency has
a hand in the crises, what is your reaction to
this?
I am not competent to answer for the
presidency. They have made statements in
respect of the crises. They are in a better
position to do justice to this question.