Okpebholo distances self from south-south governors’ call for lifting of emergency rule

Monday Okpebholo, governor of Edo, has dissociated himself from the position of the South-South Governors’ forum on the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers state.

On Thursday the forum called on President Bola Tinubu to rescind the emergency rule declared in Rivers state.

In a statement on Thursday by Fred Itua, Okpebholo’s chief press secretary (CPS), the governor said the forum decided on the matter without consulting him.

“The position by the governors of the south-south, opposing the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers state by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, did not get the nod of Governor Okpebholo. Governor Okpebholo was neither consulted nor informed,” the statement reads.

“While governor Okpebholo acknowledges the right of other governors in the south-south geopolitical zone to take a position, he, however, dissociated himself from any statement that opposes the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers state.”

The governor, who reaffirmed his support for Tinubu over his declaration of state of emergency in Rivers, noted that Tinubu understands the situation at stake in Rivers state.

He added that the decision would bring a lasting peace to Rivers and the south-south geopolitical zone at large.

“Bola Ahmed Tinubu, president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, understands the issues at stake,” Itua said.

“Governor Okpebholo supports actions so far taken by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that will bring lasting solutions and peace to Rivers state and the south-south geopolitical zone.”