A youth group, Youth Professionals for Good Governance, YPGG, has thrown its weight behind governors of the south south region denouncing the suspension of democratic institutions in Rivers state.
Secretary-General of the YPGG, Prince Kazeem Ayo, in a statement on Thursday in Abuja commended Governor of Bayelsa state and chairman of the South-South Governors Forum, Douye Diri, for demonstrating courage and leadership in expressing the collective thought of the people of the region against the declaration.
“History will remember that when words and action were needed at a time of severe setback to democratic growth not just in the South-South but in the country, the governors of the South-South region under the leadership of Governor Douye Diri spoke out eloquently against it.
“We stand together with the governors, and urge those of other regions to add their voices in denouncing what has happened as anti-constitutional and anti-democratic for democratic structures to have been so decapitated by the president with the active connivance of the National Assembly.
“What has happened is a sad commentary on democracy by a president and National Assembly that were elected freely by the people to act so brazenly is unfortunate and poses a danger to the growth of democracy in our country,” Anthony-Cole stated.
According to him, notwithstanding what has transpired, the group will continue to pursue civil and legal means to upturn the State of Emergency and expressed the hope that the Supreme Court will follow its precedent and declare the president’s action of suspending the governor and State Assembly as a constitutional aberration.
