Democracy Watch Nigeria, a civil society organization, has flayed the directive of the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Ibok-Ete Ibas, to seize the official vehicles of the state’s Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Odu.
A statement signed by the spokesman of the group, Elder Vincent Wopara on Wednesday, alleged that the sole administrator had on April 25, in a show of force, ordered naval personnel to storm the official residence of the deputy governor to forcibly remove three vehicles.
“The naval officers, acting on the direct instruction of the sole administrator, carried out the operation in a commando-style raid, taking away two Toyota Hilux vehicles and one Toyota Hiace bus.
“The brazen action took place in the early hours of the day and has since sparked widespread condemnation across the state.
“This development marks a new low in the ongoing disregard for due process and democratic norms under the current administration.
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“The action is viewed by many observers as a targeted provocation, intended to intimidate and humiliate the office of the deputy governor, which remains a constitutionally recognized institution,” the statement stressed.
The group called on well-meaning Nigerians, civil society organizations, and the international community to take note of the growing trend of militarization and impunity in Rivers State.
“It is imperative that those in positions of authority act within the bounds of the law and uphold the dignity of democratic institutions.
“The people of Rivers State deserve governance rooted in law, not in brute force,” the statement insisted.
