President Bola Tinubu's silence over the present political crisis in Rivers State has drawn severe criticism from the 21st Century Youths of Niger Delta and Agitators with Conscience (21st CYNDAC), who called it "disturbing, frightening, and unacceptable."
Izon Ebi, the group's leader, blamed Nyesom Wike, a former governor of Rivers State and minister of the Federal Capital Territory, for the situation.
Vanguard reported that Ebi cautioned that Tinubu's "renewed Hope agenda" may be undermined by the instability that could extend over the entire region from Rivers State. He implored the President to step in, saying that he needs to summon Wike and his cronies to order.
Emphasizing the importance of peace and respect, he stated that violence and disturbance have no place in the state and that no citizen is more essential than any other.
He also attacked security services, especially the police, for their perceived partisanship and complicity in the closing of local government council buildings.
The organization underlined popular support for Governor Sim Fubara and encouraged opponents to let state institutions operate in accordance with the Constitution.
They emphasized the urgency of taking immediate action to solve the problem and issued a warning that the instability in Rivers State might have far-reaching effects on the area.
As he put it, "For the avoidance of doubt, Wike’s quest for political control of the state governor and government apparatus should not be sanctioned and approved by Mr. President."
"Instability in Rivers State will surely snowball into instability in the region. This will put paid to the renewed Hope agenda. A stitch in time saves nine. Mr. President should call Wike and his lackeys to order."