Atiku, Peter Obi, El-Rufai ‘roving opposition opportunists’ – APC

The All Progressives Congress, APC, has described former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and other opposition leaders as “roving opposition opportunists.”

The ruling party accused the opposition figures of standing idly by and failing to take any action to help defuse the crisis in Rivers State, which had posed a clear and present threat to peace, the safety of lives, and national assets.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the National Publicity Secretary of APC, Felix Morka, criticised the opposition figures for what he described as their self-serving approach.

He stated: “We urge Nigerians to ignore roving opposition opportunists seeking to exploit the situation in Rivers State to escalate tension in the country.

“These opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, stood idly by and did nothing to help defuse the crisis, which had become a clear and present threat to peace, the safety of lives, and national assets in Rivers State.

“Today, these self-serving individuals did what they do best – issued a lengthy, convoluted, and utterly meaningless statement intended to get their names in the headlines and stir up tension.”

The ruling party, however, commended the leadership and members of the National Assembly for swiftly approving President Bola Tinubu’s proclamation of a state of emergency in Rivers State, as constitutionally stipulated.

Morka stated that the 10th Assembly had demonstrated patriotism by prioritising the peace and security of the people of Rivers State and uniting in the national interest.

He added: “In this regard, we particularly applaud the opposition caucus for rising above partisanship in support of the proclamation.”

Morka emphasised that the President remained committed to ensuring peace, maintaining law and order, and protecting critical national assets in Rivers State. He further noted that Tinubu was determined to restore constitutional order, ensuring that all three arms of government – executive, legislature, and judiciary – coexist and perform their constitutionally assigned functions for the well-being and good governance of Rivers State.