“We are here in solidarity with the governor, the government and people of Rivers State in this very challenging time. We are concerned as fellow governors representing our governments and people of our states. You may not know the deputies who are here.

Nasarawa, Imo and Zamfara governors are represented by their deputies here. I take it that you know the rest of us governors who are here in the delegation. You are also aware that some of our colleagues were here a couple of days ago.

“We are here because we think security for us is far more of a major concern to the people of Nigeria. You may be aware that today is National Economic Council meeting; all of us ought to be in Abuja attending the meeting. Our being here is not a denigration of that meeting in anyway, just to stress the importance of our concern for the security of the citizens of Rivers State. We have met with our brother and Chairman of our forum, Governor Amaechi. We had exhaustive discussions.

“He has briefed us on the situation on ground here. We do feel strongly, having listened to him, that it would be quite important for him to actually go and brief Mr. President who is our leader and the Chief Security officer of the country on the very challenging security situation here in Rivers State. We believe that our chairman and brother will give serious consideration to that particular concern. We have expressed to him that it is important as Chief Security Officer of the state to take the opportunity to go and brief Mr. President on the security situation.

“We also in our decision with our brother thought it will be important for the hierarchy of our Police authority, the Inspector General of Police, to help in restoring the confidence of the people of Rivers State that have greatly been diminished in the Police service and the Command here in the state. We believe that the IG is very well placed to help take the necessary step to restore the confidence of the government, the governor and the people in the police in the state.

“We believe that the remarks really require the moral authority of Mr. President and Governor Amaechi. The state of security in the entire country is also of concern to him. We believe that Mr. President, being our leader, we are all President’s men, we are all President’s governors; we believe that he actually occupies a very critical position that necessitates his wielding his moral authority ensuring that peace reigns here.”

•Being excerpts of an address made to newsmen by Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi, who spoke on behalf of himself and the 4 other All Progressives Congress (APC) Governors, namely, Babatunde Fashola (Lagos), Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), Rauf Aregbesola (Osun) and Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), after yesterday’s visit to Governor Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State. The Governors of Imo, Nasarawa and Zamfara states were represented by their deputies. • Photo shows Amaechi (4^th right) with the visitors . . . yesterday in Port Harcourt.

Update news