Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), an NGO, has strongly rejected the recent declaration of a state of emergency, describing the crisis that led to the situation as a national embarrassment.
In a statement on Wednesday – yesterday, March 19 – in Port Harcourt, Dr Nnimmo Bassey, HOMEF Executive Director, stated that the suspension of two arms of government and the appointment of a sole administrator also question the country’s democracy, saying that the suspension is disturbing.
Bassey expressed fears that the action might portend a new level of socio ecological challenges not only to Rivers state but to the entire Niger Delta, lamenting that the Delta region has been militarised due to the need to support oil companies in their oil extraction undertakings.
Bassey expressed hope that with the state of emergency, the state would not be plunged into military rule, saying that any rule that abridges the citizens’ right ‘’is deeply objectionable.’’
According to him, although the crisis that led to the murky situation in the state had been a national embarrassment, declaring a state of emergency has worsened the scenario.
Calling for the immediate restoration of democratic governance in Rivers as well as respect for the rule of law, Bassey said the constitutional provisions on emergency rule should be adhered to.
HOMEF, he said, demands strict adherence to the rules regarding any resource extraction or divestment decisions, and called for responsible actions that would not undermine the democratic institutions.
