[BREAKING] Cookey-Gam: Rivers Indigenes Must Stand Up For Their State
Former Rivers State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dame Aleruchi Cookey-Gam, has called on the people of Rivers State to take a stand amid the ongoing political turmoil in the state. She described the recent developments as “unacceptable” and stressed the need for a collective effort to restore normalcy.
“I expect that Rivers indigenes should stand up at a time like this for their state to be counted. What has happened in Rivers State is unacceptable, and as much as possible, there must be a concerted effort to make sure that things come back to normal,” Cookey-Gam said in an interview with ARISE NEWS on Friday.
Her comments come in response to the sweeping suspension of political appointees and officeholders in Rivers State by President Tinubu’s appointed sole administrator, retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas. The move, announced on Wednesday by the administrator’s chief of staff, saw the immediate removal of the Secretary to the State Government, the Chief of Staff, all commissioners, board members, and special advisers. The decision has sparked debate over the implications for governance and stability in the state.
While acknowledging that the appointment of a sole administrator leaves limited room for citizen intervention, Cookey-Gam warned against any unconstitutional overreach. She cautioned that while Ibas must maintain neutrality in carrying out his responsibilities, interference with tenured constitutional structures would pose a serious concern.
“On the part of the citizens, there isn’t much that can be done since the sole administrator has taken office, but in carrying out his responsibilities, he has to be neutral and unbiased. If he starts tampering with structures, particularly those recognised under the constitution, then it becomes a problem for anyone watching his actions,” she noted.
Cookey-Gam further insisted that the sole administrator’s primary role is to restore order and ensure security, not to embark on new projects or expand governance structures.
“We do not expect that the sole administrator will embark on any new capital projects. His primary responsibility is to bring back law and order. As far as we are concerned, there was no breakdown of law and order. That is his mandate, along with ensuring safety and security for all. There is a limit to the powers he can exercise, and we don’t expect him to appoint a large array of commissioners,” she added.
The situation in Rivers State remains tense, with many questioning the broader implications of the federal government’s intervention. As political stakeholders continue to react, Cookey-Gam’s call to action serves as a reminder that, beyond political appointments and power struggles, the people of Rivers State must play a role in shaping the future of their state.
