PRESS STATEMENT BY THE SENIOR SPECIAL
ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT [PUBLIC AFFAIRS] ON
THE POLITICAL SITUATION IN RIVERS STATE.

We are compelled to react to the unfolding political
drama emanating from recent activities of some
Governors from the northern part concerning political
developments in Rivers State. These political moves,
which are clearly intended to create fear, despair and
sense of apprehension among the citizenry are
grossly unfounded, misplaced and a deliberate over
sensationalization of the situation.

We therefore wish to state as follows:

• Insinuations and statements suggesting that Rivers
State is on fire are grossly unfounded. So far, as is it
evident to every discerning observer of political
developments, the state is calm and peaceful.
Residents of the state continue to go about their
various businesses, religious, social and political
activities under peaceful atmosphere. A key pointer
to the prevailing peace in the state is the fact that
Governor Amaechi, the Chief executive and Chief
security Officer of the state, felt confident enough to
travel to the United Kingdom on official assignment.
It is doubtful he would have had the luxury of leaving
the country if his state is in turmoil as is being
canvassed.

• The situation in Rivers State is purely a localized
political matter and has no dangerous or far reaching
consequences for the peace and security of the
nation. Since our return to democratic rule in 1999, It
is on record that not less than twelve states have
witnessed incidents of attempted impeachment of
Speakers of Houses of Assembly in Nigeria and none
has posed any threat to peace and security in the
country even when our democracy was not this
established.

• Developments in Rivers State do not pose any
threat to our democracy. Our democracy remains
robust, alive and well. In politics as in every sphere of
human activity, different shades of opinion on issues
are not uncommon within the polity but often get
resolved either politically or through legal channels.
It is therefore disingenuous for anyone to suggest
that the political disagreement in Rivers State would
imperil and ultimately derail our democracy. We
recall that in Ogun State in 2010 after series of
sustained fracas and attempts at impeachment and
counter impeachment, the Inspector General of Police
locked up the House of Assembly for several months.
In all that time, nobody in the whole country
suggested that the situation was a threat to our
nascent democracy, and no state Governor went on
any solidarity visit.

• Nigeria is not in any way in disarray. As is the case
in every country of the world, there may be conflicts
of ideas and interests here and there, which in itself
is the beauty of democracy and should not by any
means be construed to mean that there is chaos in
the country or that Nigeria is tilting towards anarchy
as some people have claimed. Nigeria remains
peaceful and is not and cannot in any way be
threatened by political developments in Rivers State.

It is clear that one of the most potent threats to our
corporate existence and sovereignty since
independence has been the Boko Haram insurgency.
This menace has been confronted frontally with
strong determination and focus, which has led to
decisive action that has brought about the
containment of the menace by the Nigerian military
and other security agencies.

Most reasonable Nigerians would have expected
these governors to be deeply concerned and
appreciative of the laudable effort of the Federal
Government, which has brought reprieve from fear as
well as comfort and solace not only to the people of
the affected areas but also to the entire nation and
international community.

Surprisingly, they appear to be more interested in
political maneuvering and grandstanding at the
expense of the well-being of the people in their
states and the stability of the nation at large.

• The Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) issue like the
political development in Rivers State remains
essentially an affair of the 36 state governors. The
outcome of elections in the body is inconsequential
to the orderly governance of the Nigerian state by
the Presidency. The choice of who becomes leader of
the body clearly has no significant ramification on
the wider political calculation of who becomes
President of the country as events in our recent
history bear out. We note that the chairman of the
NGF in 2011 was clearly at odds with the President.
He contested and lost the party’s presidential
primaries to the incumbent President of the country
who went ahead to be elected President by the
overwhelming majority of Nigeria. It is clear therefore
that occupying the chairmanship of the NGF does not
in any way confer any political influence or
advantage as regards who becomes President of the
country neither will it be of any major political
significance in the 2015 Presidential race as is being
bandied about erroneously.

We therefore admonish Governors having serious
issues with their party to take advantage of various
channels within the party machinery to resolve it.
Also, they may first of all try to show good example
of their commitment to peace by working to put their
own house in order through restoration of peace and
consensus within the NGF. While we note their
current political moves, they should be mindful that
in all they do as political leaders, they ought to put
the interest of the nation and our democracy first.

This indeed, is the hallmark of true patriotism.
We note with satisfaction and appreciation, the
subsequent visit by five governors and two deputy
governors including Governor Fayemi, Governor
Fashola, Governor Aregbesola, Governor Ajimobi and
Governor Amosun, who demonstrated high and
commendable sense of patriotism and genuine
concern for the nation, with very conciliatory
disposition and statesmanlike advise to Governor
Amaechi towards finding a lasting solution to the
political disagreements between the governor and
members of the state’s House of Assembly.

We want to assure Nigerians that the Presidency is
not involved in the dispute in Rivers State and will
not deliberately engage in any act of destabilization
of Rivers State or any state in the country neither is it
interested for whatever reason, in destabilization of
the NGF. In consonance with the dictates and
practice of true federalism and the supremacy of the
rule of law, it will be advisable that whatever political
entanglements may still exist in Rivers State should
be resolved politically or by employing due process of
law, in the interest of peaceful co-existence and
overall well-being of its citizens.

DOYIN OKUPE
SENIOR SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT
(PUBLIC AFFAIRS)

www.cknnigeria.com/2013/07/presidency-makes-official-statement-on.html?showComment=1374692979618&m=1

Retardeenish odechukwu keeps chasing shadows! The economy of Bayelsa is falling apart, your militants are coming back, the progressive Yoruba people of the SW are rejecting the slow down of your government on our lives! Let THE PEOPLE of GOD in Nigeria GO!!

se.xkilza.phull:
Retardeenish odechukwu keeps chasing shadows! The economy of Bayelsa is falling apart, your militants are coming back, the progressive Yoruba people of the SW are rejecting the slow down of your government on our lives! Let THE PEOPLE of GOD in Nigeria GO!!

You forgot to read the post!

This is just a careful attempt to exonerate the presidency while labeling Amaechi as the He-goat. Its all politics...

Remember my children...."WHAT YOU SAY IS NOT A LIE, IF YOU BELIVE IT"

Continue to trivialize serious issue!

Nigerian Politicians keep making politics look dirtier!!!

Yes we are moving forward kudos to dis man for ur mumu u think u can decieve me

Fresh air

It has now got to the level which these foools believe all Nigerians are foools.

This is long over-due!

We no as d tin dy go , nobody fit tell us say na fish dy inside sardine and geisha, dy wan bobo us. Dy wan use bread pack my soup

After all d silence,dis is d best they can come up with,this is a big insult 2 all Nigerians,this is the more reason we won't grow under pdp led govt,they shud b ashamed that what happend in Ogun,Oyo n Ekiti,under pdp,is still happening in 2013,that shows that we r not growing,n they r tryin 2 make it look normal.y r they down play wat happened in Rivers? Wat if both loyalists had clashed? Y didn't they condemn d impeachment move? Wuld those 5 law makers had attempted 2 impeach d speaker without FG backing? I rest my case.

The official statement from the presidency is very timely when the political fracas in Rivers state has reached its climax.My question is, to what effect is this statement intended? To deceive us? Pls somebody help!

This Okupe too dey lie walai. He said the NGF chairman in 2011 which was Bukola Saraki contested the PDP presidential primary election against GEJ and he lost. Welk that's a lie cos Bukola never contested against GEJ. Bukola and others step down for Alhaji Atiku base on northern kind of concensus or whatever. So Okupe still dey lie?

Patience has told us the cause. so no way Gej can exonerate himself. its too late for any cover up story. patience is presidency, presidency is patience.

But truly ehn, Nigerians are gullible ni!

We have very pressing challenges that we could discuss as Nigerians. We could talk about a loyt of things that affect us personally. But no. We choose to talk about people that have no love for us. People that don't care if we see a place to eat, to treat ourselves or to lay our head.

Visit Port Harcourt and see the mess that the city is. Then you will understand why Rivers people don't care for Amaechi as much as South Westerners and Northerners.

Okupe don finish dem. So all their gra gra like small dog no fit shake President Jonathan's concentration. Up Doyin, the attack LION.

If anybody needs any proof that Jonathan Goodluck and his Presidency leaves in alternative universe? this is it.

What a shameless President and Presidency.

Mesico2: This Okupe too dey lie walai. He said the NGF chairman in 2011 which was Bukola Saraki contested the PDP presidential primary election against GEJ and he lost. Welk that's a lie cos Bukola never contested against GEJ. Bukola and others step down for Alhaji Atiku base on northern kind of concensus or whatever. So Okupe still dey lie?

don't forget that the idea of northern concesus candidate came up to challenge d incubent. Once GEJ defeated Atiku in pdp primary he has defeated all that gang up against him, inclding ibb and bukola saraki.

Politics is just a game....

Me believe the presidency should condemn the act perpetrated by the 5 lawmakers rather than just say what they attempted happened in some states before. The fact that such illegality happened in some states before now does not make it right.

I read through the writeup, it makes alot of sense to me, and its clear from all indication that presidency is telling the truth. we dont see any action of presidency against Amaechi or Rivers state. all we keep hearing is Amaechi's claims and actions. unless you want to tell me that presidency is fighting Amaechi with prayers

Crap: as exepcted

A Zillion like for Mr. President.

This reponse is clear, detailed, insightful, and comprehensive.

This has put to lie/rest all the propaganda about "fire on the moutain" by the alarmists.

The disgruntle elements have to come up with a new one: Boko Haram has failed to achieve desired result, Merger is dead on arrival, River/NGF propaganda is not getting expected outcome.....

No weapon formed against GEJ shall prosper!

Biodup: don't forget that the idea of northern concesus candidate came up to challenge d incubent. Once GEJ defeated Atiku in pdp primary he has defeated all that gang up against him, inclding ibb and bukola saraki.

Na u understand am so bt no be wetin Okupe talk be that. He said he defeated the NGF chairman, he didn't say he defeated Atiku.

Chai! Jonathan can lie.

Mesico2: Na u understand am so bt no be wetin Okupe talk be that. He said he defeated the NGF chairman, he didn't say he defeated Atiku.

So let's ask them is atiku the defeated NGF chairman because atiku was never a governor pls who is his NGF chaitrman that was defeated.

evangmx:
So let's ask them is atiku the defeated NGF chairman because atiku was never a governor pls who is his NGF chaitrman that was defeated.

The purpose of concensus candidacy is to harness all the Northern vote including saraki and IBB, so GEJ defeated saraki, IBB and Atiku put together.