Edith CHUKU
Rivers Elders and Leaders Forum has rejected the directives of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on the political crisis in Rivers State, insisting that they will stand and defend the state.
The forum stated this in response to the intervention and directives of Tinubu, on the political crisis in the state.
This was contained in a release made available to TNN, on Wednesday, by a former governor of the state, Chief Rufus Ada George, Alabo (Dr) G.T.G. Toby, Ibim Princewill, Rear Adm. O. P. Fingesi, (Rtd), HRH Alabo Emeritus Prof Dagogo Fubara, HRH NLA Iraron, Ede Obolo II, His Highness Anabs Sara Igbe, Sen Bennett Birabi, Ms. Annkio Briggs, Captain Nwankwo, Prof. A.W. Obianime JP, Aseme-Alabo Prof. E. T. Bristol Alagbariya, JP, High Chief Marcus Atata JP, Sen Wilson A. Ake, Dr. Silva Opusunju, Sen Andrew Uchendu, Dr. Kalada Dick Iruenabere, Atamuno Atamuno Double Prof. King N O Nyenke and Omie G Abbey.
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They called on citizens to rise up to salvage the soul of the state, insisting that, “When injustice and criminality become law and a way of life in the polity, resistance becomes a duty”.
In the release which came shortly after an emergency meeting of the forum, held on Tuesday, the elders recalled that in their communiqué of 17th and 18th December, 2023, they urged the president to intervene in the political crisis between the immediate past governor, Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike and his successor, Governor Siminialayi Fubara.
They commended Tinubu for what they described as his prompt intervention on the matter but explained that they were at a loss as to whether his intervention has solved the problem or escalated it.
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The Rivers Elders and Leaders Forum believes that the President’s directives for the resolution of the political impasse in the state showed thus:
“That the directives contravene the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which Mr. President swore to uphold at all times.
“The directives unilaterally suspended the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by virtue of an attempt to reverse a court order recognizing Rt. Honourable Edison Ehie as the speaker and directing that the remainder of members of the House of Assembly constituted the quorum for legislative business.
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“That the directive also contravenes the hallowed doctrine and practice of separation of powers, particularly as it affect the responsibility of the judiciary. Can Mr. President Or The Executive Arm Of Government Over Rule The Decisions Of Courts Of Competent Jurisdiction?
“This portends executive rascality which undermines our constitutional democracy, rule of law and good governance.
“The directives to the parties were one sided in favour of Chief Barr. Nyesom Wike, the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and at the detriment of the Governor, Siminialayi Fubara and the good people of Rivers State.
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“In the eyes of the law and due process, as evidenced by the Rivers State High Court decision, that the Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule and his team has ceased to exist in the state House of Assembly having defected to another political party, and therefore cannot be reinstated and remunerated through the back door.
“It is the duty of the Executive arm of Government to provide accommodation for legislators in a constitutional democracy as exemplified by the FCT Minister with respect to the National Assembly.
“It is therefore, hypocritical to suggest, that the Rivers State House of Assembly under Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule could sit anywhere of their choice, whereas in Abuja, it is the FCT Minister, on behalf of the executive arm that provides accommodation for Federal Legislators. The very reason why the FCT Minister was referred to as the ‘Landlord Of Abuja’ by Mr. President at the presentation of the 2024 budget.
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“The directive to re-present the budget passed and signed into law is a clear attempt to ridicule and denigrate the office of the Governor and the good people of Rivers State, including the Judiciary.
“In Public Administration parlance, a person can exit service either by resignation, sack, voluntarily retirement or death. It is therefore preposterous for the President to direct that the people who have exited service for personal reasons be re-absorbed.
“The Forum enjoined all responsible citizens of Rivers State to rise up in this our moment of truth, to salvage the soul of Rivers State. Our fathers fought for the creation of Rivers State, we will stand to defend it. “When injustice and criminality become law and a way of life in the polity, resistance becomes a duty”.
“Finally, the Forum condemns in its entirety, the directives for the resolution of the political crisis in Rivers State. Nigeria is a constitutional democracy where only the courts can order the reversal of acts done or carried out under the provisions of the law. Therefore any resolution or directive that intends to undermine the principle of separation of powers and the rule of law is unacceptable, null and void and will be resisted, using all constitutional means at our disposal.”
