Elders in Rivers State have slammed President Bola Tinubu’s eight-point peace resolution aimed at resolving the political crisis in the state, describing it as “one-sided” and unconstitutional.
The elders, comprising former governors, traditional rulers, academics, and technocrats, rejected the directives issued after a reconciliation meeting between the President, Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike, and Rivers State Governor Similanayi Fubara.
The group, in the communique, signed by former governor Rufus Ada-George, Chief Anabs Sara Igbe, former Spokesman for PANDEF, Sir GTG Toby, former deputy governor of Rivers State, Senator Andrew Uchendu, Senator Ben Birabi and others, accused the President of attempting to “unilaterally suspend the constitution” through his directives.
They argued that Tinubu’s order to re-instate and remunerate lawmakers who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) was a blatant disregard for a court order recognising Edison Ehie as the Speaker.
“The President’s directives are a clear attempt to undermine the judiciary and the rule of law,” the communique stated. “Can Mr. President or the executive arm of government overrule the decision of courts of competent jurisdiction? This is executive rascality that threatens our democracy.”
The elders further condemned the directives as “one-sided” and favouring Wike at the expense of Fubara and the people of Rivers State. They pointed out that the defectors, led by Martins Amaewhule, had ceased to be members of the House of Assembly and could not be reinstated through the back door.
“The President’s hypocrisy is glaring,” the communique charged. “He expects the Rivers State government to provide accommodation for legislators while his own FCT Minister does the same for the National Assembly. Why the double standard?”
The elders also took issue with the directive to re-present the already passed and signed budget, viewing it as an insult to the governor and the judiciary. They also criticised the order to re-absorb former officials who had voluntarily resigned, calling it “preposterous.”
“In this moment of truth, we call on all responsible citizens of Rivers State to rise up and defend the soul of our state,” the communique concluded. “We must not allow our democracy to be trampled upon by those who seek to rule through the backdoor.”
Recall that on Monday, President Bola Tinubu brokered a peace deal between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, at the Aso Rock Villa.
Monday’s meeting at the Aso Villa was attended by both Wike and Fubara. In the presence of President Tinubu and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, both sides committed to withdrawing all court cases, among other concessions.
