Rivers Crisis: Okupe Says Political Conflict Is The Beauty Of Democracy, Blasts 4 Northern Governors

The presidency has condemned last week's solidarity visit of four northern governors to the Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja, the Senior Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on Public Affairs, Doyin Okupe described the visit as a "political drama".

He said the visit by Governors Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano, Sule Lamido of Jigawa, Murtala Nyako of Adamawa, and Muazu Babangida Aliyu of Niger is a political move which is "clearly intended to create fear, despair and sense of apprehension among the citizenry."

He said the governors, all members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), were trying to create the impression that Rivers State is in crisis contrary to what is on the ground.

Dr. Okupe also added that Nigeria is not in any form of disarray.

According to him, "As is the case in any country of the world, there may be conflicts of ideas and even interests here and there, which is in itself the beauty of democracy and should not by any means be misconstrued to mean that there is chaos in the country or that Nigeria is tilting towards anarchy as some people would want us to believe."
"Nigeria remains peaceful and is not and cannot in any way be threatened by the political developments in Rivers State alone out of 36 states."