Lawmaker Okays APC’s Directive On Members

Federal lawmaker representing Degema/Bonny Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon Sokonte Davies, has described the decision of the All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership on its members to block all executive bills as a step in the right direction.

Hon. Davies who fielded reporters question at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, noted that the level of impunity perpetrated in Rivers State by the federal government was a threat to democracy which some Nigerians sacrificed their lives for.

He recounted the intimidation of Rivers people by the police in the state and the encouragement of the return of militants which he said Governor Chibuike Amaechi fought so hard to check.

“The Federal Government has not shown reasonable move to embark on any development project in Rivers State, how can we cooperate with such government”, he queried.

The federal lawmaker said “even though my party (APC) did not say anything, personally I will not support the federal government because the government has paid lip service to Rivers people, can’t the federal government come to address the crisis in Rivers State if they mean well and the issue of police commissioners”.

Hon Davies recalled that Governor Amaechi had been able to provide facilities for the police and other security agencies and wondered how the federal government could turn to use the agencies against the State government.

He explained that the National Assembly had passed several resolutions without the Executive implementing it and ignored the orders including that of Rivers State.

“I know that the federal government did not plan well for Rivers State. As a Kalabari man, the federal government has not provided for my people. As an Ijaw man, the government has not done anything for the people, so, I cannot cooperate with such administration”, Hon. Davies stated.

The lawmaker bemoaned the attitude of the government in the handling of the money that was in Escrow account for Bayelsa and Rivers States and refusal to reverse the situation.

According to him, those criticizing the decision of APC need to see the level of impunity being perpetrated in Rivers State as they feel the state is not important, and that accounts for why nothing is done to address the issues.