ActionAid Nigeria has expressed deep concern about the ongoing political turmoil in Rivers State.
According a statement signed by the Country Director of ActionAid, Andrew Mamedu, it stated that the political shenanigans has
continued to divert attention from governance and the welfare of citizens.
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Mamedu said, “In recent days, we have reached out to various stakeholders, including civil servants and residents, to gauge public sentiment.
“The feedback received reflects growing apprehension over the uncertainty in the state and its impact on livelihoods and governance.
“There are concerns over the sustainability of salary payments, as allocations remain unclear. The fear is that if the expected allocations do not materialise, the state’s workforce could face severe financial strain and heightened social tension.
“Feedback ActionAid received from engagements with citizens indicates that while economic activities continue, uncertainty looms over daily affairs.
“Civil society organisations have raised concerns about the shrinking civic space, noting that interventions requiring state government involvement are stalled, making governance-related engagements increasingly difficult.
“The pressing question remains: who will respond to citizens’ needs if the government remains consumed by internal political struggles?
Speaking in Abuja, ActionAid Nigeria’s country director, Andrew Mamedu noted that ‘‘The ongoing political turmoil in Rivers State is nothing short of a distraction from governance, which will deepen the suffering of the poor and marginalised.
The battle for control, veiled in legislative drama, is a careless indulgence by the political elite and this will have dire consequences for ordinary citizens.
The statement “Heaven will not fall if Governor Fubara is impeached”, will impact the already struggling masses. For them, heaven is already crumbling. Funds meant to serve the people are tied up in political games.
“Policies that should improve lives are left in limbo. Those in power may believe they have all the time in the world for these theatrics, but the poor cannot afford the price of their recklessness.
“Political instability is never without cost. Money that could have been used for new development projects instead gets funneled into fixing damage caused by instability, including possible violent clashes such as those witnessed after the October 2024 local government elections.
“Also, Investors, wary of the deepening crisis, are withholding capital, stifling job creation in a state where unemployment stands at 13.4% as of 2024, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). Political unrest will continue to discourage both local and foreign investment and worsen economic stagnation.’’
“ActionAid Nigeria reiterates that if this crisis is unchecked, it will deepen public disillusionment with governance, fuel resentment, social unrest, and may create a sense of hopelessness in the citizenry.
“Mr. Mamedu concluded that “The President must take decisive steps to ensure Rivers State does not descend into full-blown chaos and demand that Governance must return to the forefront, and the political leaders in Rivers State must remember that their mandate is to serve the people.
“ActionAid is calling on the people of Rivers state not to remain silent. The voices of communities must rise to demand accountability and a return to governance that prioritizes public welfare over political survival.
“National and international human rights institutions, including the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), must take up the evident violations of rights and political overreach in Rivers State and the international community must remain vigilant, as history has shown that unchecked political impunity breeds long-term instability.
“The people of Rivers deserve better than the public show of power.’’ The statement reads.
