The Mayor of Urhoboland and prominent ex-militant leader, His Excellency Eshanekpe Israel, better known as Akpodoro, has applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for declaring an emergency rule in Rivers State, calling it a necessary step to resolve the protracted political crisis in the state.
He emphasized that the situation, which had been escalating, was fast becoming a national embarrassment.
Akpodoro pointed out that although the President had made a fatherly intervention earlier in the crisis, it was the actions of “demagogues” who exacerbated the conflict for personal gain, including leaders and elders from the state, that had prolonged the impasse and hindered governance in the oil-rich region.
Speaking from his Mayoral Palace in Ughelli, Delta State, on Tuesday, Akpodoro expressed confidence in the newly appointed sole administrator, Vice Admiral Ette Ibok Ibas (Rtd.), stating that Ibas possesses the expertise and experience to restore peace in Rivers State.
The Mayor further affirmed that Ibas, a retired military officer with significant administrative and managerial experience, is well-equipped to navigate the challenges in a state embroiled in crisis.
According to Akpodoro, the President’s swift action to declare emergency rule was the best decision to curb the “recklessness and avoidable rascality” that had overtaken the state.
The Mayor also criticized conflict entrepreneurs, including unrepentant militants, for inciting violence and encouraging youths to take part in the unrest.
These individuals, he claimed, were trying to capitalize on the dispute between political figures, further destabilizing the state.
“As it stands, constitutional order was suspended the very day the symbol of democracy — the House of Assembly Complex — was demolished,” Akpodoro said, emphasizing that the emergency rule was a direct result of the actions of those fueling the crisis.
Akpodoro had stern words for the supporters of the political figures involved, urging them to cease issuing threats.
He explained that the current state of emergency was a consequence of the actions of those who allowed the situation to escalate.
“The emergency rule is a consolidation of what parties in the dispute attracted to their state,” he added.
The Mayor also condemned militants in the state for using the crisis to their advantage, boasting on social media and issuing empty threats.
He described their actions as a “show of shame,” and reiterated that such behavior was a serious detriment to peace and stability in Rivers State.
Akpodoro called on Vice Admiral Ibas to view his appointment as a call to continue serving the nation, urging him to do everything possible to justify the President’s decision.
He praised the President for taking swift action to prevent anarchy and stressed that opposition elements were already exploiting the crisis for political gain.
“With this latest development, other truculent state executives should take a cue from what happened in Rivers State and prioritize maintaining peace in their respective states,” Akpodoro concluded.
The Mayor also took time to reflect on Vice Admiral Ibas’s achievements, recalling his tenure where he prioritized fleet recapitalization, anti-piracy operations, and bolstered Nigeria’s maritime defense capabilities.
He highlighted Ibas’s leadership in international maritime collaborations and commended his disciplined, professional approach to naval administration.
In a related development, Mayor Akpodoro commended the Nigeria Police Force and Tantita Security Services Nig LTD (TSSNL) for their prompt response to the explosion that struck the Trans-Niger Pipeline in Rivers State.
The explosion, one of the largest disruptions in the nation’s oil infrastructure, sent thick smoke into the air and raised concerns about environmental and economic damages.
The incident, which occurred late Monday, has been linked to a series of political crises affecting Nigeria’s oil pipelines. Following the explosion, two suspects were reportedly arrested by TSSNL, in collaboration with the police, and are currently under interrogation.
Akpodoro, a long-time advocate for increased funding for TSSNL, emphasized that the arrests underscore the need for greater financial support for pipeline security and surveillance. He stated, “This incident is another reminder of the importance of enhancing the operational capacity of TSSNL to protect our vital national infrastructure.”
