Asari Dokubo preaches peace amidst Rivers crisis

Former Niger Delta militant, Asari Dokubo has called on outgoing local government chairmen in Rivers State to peacefully vacate their offices without causing any unrest.

Following a Sallah visit to Governor Siminialayi Fubara at the Government House in Port Harcourt on Monday, Dokubo emphasized the importance of a smooth transition and stability in the state, urging youths not to be manipulated by politicians into inciting violence.

Dokubo stated, “Only one man can be governor of Rivers State at a time.
Rivers State is bigger than any individual. No one can take the people of Rivers State for a ride. The local government tenure has expired today; they should quietly go home. If they want to seek re-election, they should do so according to the constitution. There is no tenure elongation in the constitution. Their position is tenure-bound, and that tenure has expired. Let them not cause unnecessary problems for the people of this state. And I want to advise young people: Don’t allow yourselves to be used. Most of these politicians’ children are not here and have never stood in front of any protest. Don’t let anyone exploit the situation.”

Addressing youths occupying the council secretariat of some LGAs, Dokubo said, “The people are exercising their power by taking over the local government secretariat. Nobody can say we voted for a three-year tenure for a chairman and that the chairman should exceed one second of that tenure. The people of Rivers State are exercising their power, ready to take over until the government conducts elections.”