The South-South geopolitical zone has called on President Bola Tinubu to reinstate the Rivers State governor — Sir Siminalayi Fubara, whom he (Tinubu) “illegally” suspended on March 18 and declared a state of emergency in his state.
On Saturday, leaders, activists and attorneys of the zone asked President Tinubu to restore Fubara, his deputy, and members of the House of Assembly, without waiting for September 18 when the 6 months emergency is expected to end.
Recall that Fubara and FCT minister Nyesom Wike, in June, publicly announced that they had reconciled to President Tinubu’s knowledge.
Read Details: Peace Has Finally Returned – Wike, Fubara Declares
However, despite the declaration, Tinubu would not lift the rule on the state leaving citizens in wonder why.
Meanwhile, on Saturday, The South South stakeholders declared that “enough is enough” as they demanded Tinubu to reinstate Fubara before September 18.
The group described Tinubu’s action as unconstitutional stating that his refusal to reinstate Fubara before the time his suspension would expire would be validating his brazen rape of democracy.
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Speaking to newsmen on Saturday, the convener of the South-South Reawakening Group (SSRG), Elder Joseph Ambakederimo said it was yet time for the emergency rule to be lifted.
According to him, he had expected the president to lift the rule without waiting for 6 months to elapse especially after Wike and Fubara’s announcement of having reached a truce.
Ambakederimo further noted that the major reason the emergency rule was declared had since faded away and things have gone back to normalcy in the state therefore, the governor should be called back into office.
He stated; “The National Assembly has passed the budget of the state; therefore, it should not take a day longer than necessary to repudiate the proclamation.
”For the governor to be compelled to join the All Progressives Congress (APC) is for him to decide. If the governor chooses to kowtow to Minister Wike, that is his decision.”
The convener further urged the people of Rivers state to engage the president in dialogue as often as they must as he expressed optimism that he (Tinubu) would give in eventually.
According to him, “I know for a fact that the president means well for the governor and Rivers State.”
Similarly, Professor Benjamin Okaba, the president of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), the apex socio-cultural group of the Ijaw ethnic nationality stated that the group frowned at the president’s decision from the start and would continue to do so untill normalcy returns to Rivers State and Nigeria’s democracy.
However, a lawyer and ex-president of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Eric Omare declared that the president’s actions would make no difference whether he reinstates Fubara or not.
According to him; “What is important is that the action is unconstitutional and a sad moment in our democratic journey. What is also worrisome is that the case filed at the Supreme Court was not given the attention it required by all stakeholders, including those who filed the case.”
He stated that democracy can only grow when anti-democratic and unconstitutional actions are challenged and the courts give a direction on the issues.
“The handling of such a sensitive constitutional issue by all the stakeholders left much to be desired,” Omare said adding that ”Rivers State or any other state of the federation is not the private property of anyone, and as such, issues relating to fundamental breaches of the constitution cannot be settled on the altar of resolving a godfather and political son relationship.
”Hence, my position is for those who instituted a case on the matter to pursue it to its logical conclusion, irrespective of what President Tinubu decides to do in the weeks and months ahead.”
Alaowei Cleric Esq., the chairman of the Board of Trustees, Centre for Human Rights and Anti-Corruption Crusade (CHURAC), also asserted that the president’s major reason for declaring the emergency rule in Rivers state was settled and so he needed to call it off and reinstate the governor.
Cleric called on the president to redeem his government and save face by reinstating Fubara.
”I only blame the rubber-stamp National Assembly and the Supreme Court that refused to hear the case despite its national importance. It is so bad, Cleric further stated.
On the other hand, Blessing Adima, a Delta State-based political activist, also called on the president to end what she described as rascality stating that Fubara’s suspension was illegal.
”The longer that Governor Fubara stays on suspension, the more disenchanted the Rivers electorate will remain. I don’t think the people are satisfied that the National Assembly, and not the Rivers State House of Assembly, passed the 2025 Rivers State appropriation bill into law,” she said.
