Rivers political tussle: Nigeria gradually sliding into anarchy – Tambuwal

The speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, yesterday raised the alarm over the ongoing political tussle in Rivers State, saying that the country is in a state “of gradual relapse into anarchy”.

Tambuwal however, described the Rivers situation as “lamentable” and avoidable on the grounds that the joint resolutions of the Senate and House of Representatives aimed at dousing the tensed political atmosphere have been ignored.
The speaker stated this in his welcome remarks on the occasion of the House’s resumption from the Christmas, New Year’s Day and Eid-El-Maulud recess.

“The two incidents in Rivers State, the one in Ogun and the other in Borno bear all the trappings of impunity which must be eschewed at all cost if we hope to continue to deepen our democracy,” Tambuwal said.
According to him, governance must be subject to the strict observance of the rule of law and good conscience, and therefore civility rather than impunity should be the guide at all times and in all situations.
“The incidents in question exhibit an unacceptable level of either failure of government or abdication of responsibility neither of which should be encouraged in our polity.”
On the part of politicians, Tambuwal warned against recourse to unlawful and violent means of projecting political interest and ambitions. He advocated for the adoption of peaceful advocacy and networking.
“It has worked in other jurisdictions and it can work here if we give it a chance,” he said.