Edith CHUKU
The Rivers State Civil Society Organisations has urged the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, not to succumbto any pressure clearly intended to further desecrate the constitution of Nigeria.
In a letter to the governor by the coalition of civil society organsiations, the chairman, Mr Enefaa Georgewill and the public relations officer, Mr Solomon Lenu, described the demand for the representation of the Rivers State 2024 budget as illegal and self-serving.
They urged Fubara not to give vent to anarchy and encourage what they described as political stupidity. They also encouraged the governor to be law abiding, stressing that no force under the earth can over run him nor subvert the democracy.
The letter titled: Recognizing Hon. Martins Chike Amaewhule Led Faction Of Rivers Assembly; Violation Of Your Oath Of Office As Rivers State Governor, read as follows:
“We are a coalition of responsible and non-partisan civil society organizations in Rivers State made up of activists, non-governmental organizations, professionals, artisans and community-based organizations with interest in human right, democracy, public policy and development.
“We have watched with keen interest desperate efforts made by very few people and anti-democratic elements to subvert democracy and undermine the sacred office of the executive Governor of our dear state. This is unfortunate to say the least, if not criminal at worst.
“While we understand your calculation of political exigency, we wish that you refuse to succumb to pressure to be part of a process clearly intended to further desecrate the constitution of Nigeria by acceding to the whims and caprices of a tiny few that have made politics a means of production and no more.
“The Martin Amaewhule led House of Assembly do not exist in the eyes of the law by the provisions of section 109(1)(g) of the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria.
“To pretend to constitute itself to conduct the business of legislation on behalf of Rivers state is untoward, illegal and reprehensible and more to sustain a correspondence with the office of the Governor to the extent of making demands for the representation of the Rivers State 2024 budget before it is illegal, self-serving and is the height of travesty never before hear nor seen in our land.
“As at today, that budget (The 2024 appropriation Bill) is currently passed into law and should be implemented for the enjoyment of our people and to make Rivers State a better place.
“We as the foremost Civil Society Organizations in Rivers State, not only stand by you insisting that you refuse to be distracted but carry on with your constitutional mandate of working for the best interest of Rivers people, applying their resources meticulously and justifying service delivery per resources and securing them against internal and external aggression against the dictates of self-serving politicians that have no other history of public service except prebendal politics.
“Be informed your Excellency, that our stated stand to be with and vigilantly watch out carefully for anti-democratic elements and their sponsors, to name and shame them is not a mere promise but as a practical action can never be overemphasized as we have concluded plans to approach the courts to give life to yearnings and aspirations and ensure that the due process of the law is followed in issues pertaining to the present externally induced internal crisis primarily intended to desecrate your office, undermine our constitutional democracy by usurping political power in the state.
“Our match to the state house today is to express our solidarity and support on this matter and to assure you that we are watching but more than that, we will exhaust all avenues in law to ensure that the illegally constituted House of Assembly does not constitute itself unto a law to threaten democracy and the rule of law in our dear state.
“To represent the budget is giving vent to anarchy and encourage political stupidity which cannot afford in this critical moment. We encourage you to be law abiding as expected and no force under the earth can over run you nor subvert our democracy.”
