The Coalition of Rivers State Professionals has accused politicians of hiring youths to stage protests and incite violence over the local government council chairmen tenure elongation crisis in Rivers State.
The coalition’s Director-General, Architect Ipalibo West, made the accusation at a press conference in Port Harcourt, stating that the protesters are “hired crowds” and not genuine youths interested in the state’s development.
West praised Governor Fubara’s administration for its good governance and dismissed the protests as a ploy to provoke a reaction and potentially lead to a state of emergency declaration.
West said, “The crowds you see on the streets today in Port Harcourt are hired crowds. They are not youths interested in the development of this state. No right-thinking person or youth would protest during Governor Fubara’s administration, which has set a pace in good governance in this country.”
He further said, “What’s happening on the streets of Port Harcourt today is like playing the ostrich game. Politicians sponsoring anarchy are not interested in the state’s development. They aim to provoke a reaction, leading to a state of emergency declaration in Rivers State. But I assure you, we are far from that, and by God’s grace, it will never happen.”
He commended the police presence at the council, saying it has prevented chaos.
According to West, “If not for the police occupying the local government councils, you can imagine the chaos with these paid youths demonstrating against a peaceful and development-oriented government.”
The coalition supports the governor’s institution of the CTC, emphasizing that there should be no vacuum in governance, according to the Punch.
CORPS has declared its commitment to good governance and solidarity with Governor Fubara on his first anniversary in office.
