Tinubu’s intervention in Rivers crisis an attempt to ridicule Fubara, say elders

The Rivers Elders and Leaders Forum says the intervention of President Bola Tinubu in the political crisis in the state, is detrimental to Siminalayi Fubara, the governor.

Over the past few weeks, the governor and Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), have been at loggerheads over control of the state’s political structure.

On Monday, during a meeting with Tinubu, all parties agreed that all matters instituted in courts should “immediately” be withdrawn.

An eight-point resolution signed by Fubara, Wike and other Rivers stakeholders, stated that all impeachment proceedings against the governor should be dropped “immediately”.

In a statement signed on Tuesday by Rufus Ada George, a former governor of the state, the group said the response of the president to the situation in Rivers has more or less escalated it.

The group said the directives of the president “unilaterally suspended the constitution” in an attempt to reverse a court order recognising Edison Ehie as the speaker of the house.

The elders added that the president’s resolve depicts “executive rascality which undermines the democracy of the country”, adding that the directives to “re-present the budget passed and signed into law is a clear attempt to ridicule and denigrate the office of the governor”.

“That the directive also contravenes the hallowed doctrine and practice of separation of powers, particularly as it affect the responsibility of the judiciary,” the statement reads. 

“Can Mr. President or the executive arm of government overrule the decisions of courts of competent jurisdiction?

“The directives to the parties were one sided in favour of Nyesom Wike, the minister of the Federal Capital Territory and at the detriment of the governor, Siminialayi Fubara and the good people of Rivers state.

“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. 

“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.”