At a Joint World Press Conference organized by a coalition of 10 groups on Wednesday 20th December, 2023 at NAF conference Centre, Dado District Abuja, a unanimous vote of confidence was passed on Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Edison Ehie. The groups expressed their support for the incumbent Governor and Speaker amidst allegations of sabotage by the present Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Wike.
During the press conference, the coalition highlighted their concerns regarding the alleged interference of Barrister Nyesom Wike in the governance of River State, accusing him of disrupting the flow of governance in the state. According to the groups, led by Comrade Wisdom Oniekpar Ikuli who is the National president of Niger Delta Nonviolence Agitators Forum (NDNAF) and Executive Director, Centre for Peace Advocacy and Social Rehabilitation(CPASR), Rivers State which is made up of Upland and Riverine has since its contemporary democracy of over 24 years, has always produced successive leadership from the Upland divide except this time around where Governor Fubara from the Riverine has recently assume Leadership of the state, through the mandate freely given by the good people State.
The groups condemn in strong terms the rascality of the 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly who are led by Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule who was used 10years ago by Wike when he was Minister of State for Education to cause unimaginable crisis in the then State House of Assembly and also destabilize the administration of Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Ameachi.
The groups also frown totally at the purported resolutions of the Monday 18th December, 2023 meeting that was convened by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa wherein the Governor of Rivers State was ambushed and treated like a Cockroach in the gathering of Hens, a sad development where the Governor was coerced to accept terms that are totally anti-people of Rivers State and therefore unacceptable.
They pointed out that Gov. Siminalayi Fubara was elected by millions of Rivers people to govern over ten millions Rivers people thus cannot subject himself to any unfavourable terms and agreements without consulting people of the state.
Action of the 27 former Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, the groups say are aberration that are totally unknown to democracy anywhere in the world where members of the Legislature attempt to impeach the head of Executive Arm in the person of the Governor without any allegations of constitutional breaches and infractions according to the dictates of the Constitution which is the Grundnorm.
Comrade Wilson did not stop here, but applauded and reemphasized the position of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie that the seats of those dissidents 27 members as alleged remain vacant and urged INEC to expedite action in conducting by-elections to fill those 27 vacant seats, making specific reference to that which played out in Cross River State.
They emphasized the need for President Tinubu to uphold the constitutional rights of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and ensure the smooth functioning of the state government. Also that the President should appreciate the goodwill of the people of Rivers State and other Niger Deltans and Nigerians who freely voted for him and not to throw away this rare goodwill because of his quest to satisfy one individual Mr. Nyesom Ezebunwo Wike who even as a sitting Governor failed at his Polling Unit, Ward and Local Government Area during the just concluded Presidential Election in 2023.
In their statement, Wisdom added that Mr. President should understand the fact that the will of few individuals who hold public offices entrusted for the vast majority of the people can never override the overall interest of the Masses and Electorates who voted them.
And that anything contrary to the position of the people of Rivers State shall be vehemently opposed.
The coalition urged all stakeholders with particular reference to President Tinubu, to respect the rule of law and avoid actions that could undermine the stability and progress of River State. They emphasized the importance of constructive involvement in the affairs of the state to address any issues affecting the state’s governance effectively.
The groups praised Governor Siminalayi Fubara for his leadership and dedication to the development of River State so far. They also commended the Speaker of the House of Assembly for his role in promoting good governance and legislative excellence in the state.
It was also a moment to thank the people of Rivers State for defending the mandate they freely gave to the people’s governor.
The press conference ended with a call to the presidency, Service Chiefs and the International community to hold Barr Nyesome Wike responsible for any break down of law and order in Rivers State and other parts of Niger Delta going forward. However Comrade Wilson sue for unity and solidarity among the people of River State, reiterating their unwavering support for Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Speaker of the House of Assembly.
The coalition’s statement reflects the current political dynamics in River State, highlighting the challenges faced by the state government and the efforts of various groups to ensure the smooth functioning of governance. The call for President Tinubu to intervene underscores the significance of federal-state relations in Nigeria’s political landscape and the need for a harmonious working relationship between the central and state governments.
