By PRECIOUS AKUTAMADU

Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), an NGO, has strongly rejected the recent declaration of a state of emergency, describing the crisis that led to the situation as a national embarrassment.

Dr Nnimmo Bassey, HOMEF Executive Director, made the remark in a statement issued to newsmen on Wednesday in Port Harcourt

He stated that the suspension of two arms of government and the appointment of a sole administrator also questioned the country’s democracy, saying that the suspension was disturbing.

Bassey expressed fear that the action might portend a new levels of socio-ecological challenges not only to Rivers state but to the entire Niger Delta.

He claimed that Niger Delta region had been militarised due to the need to support oil companies in the oil extraction.

Bassey expressed hope that with the state of emergency, the state would not be plunged into military rule, saying that any rule that abridged the citizens’ right “is deeply objectionable.”

According to him, although the crisis that led to the murky situation in the state had been a national embarrassment, declaring a state of emergency has worsened the scenario.

He, however, called for the immediate restoration of democratic governance in Rivers as well as respect for the rule of law.

He said that the constitutional provisions on emergency rule should be adhered to.

Bassey said that HOMEF demanded strict adherence to the rules regarding any resource extraction or divestment decisions, and called for responsible actions that would not undermine the democratic institutions. (NAN)