Fubara, Wike feud: How Tinubu’s intervention resolved Rivers crisis + details

The political impasse in Rivers state was Monday resolved following an intervention by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

All the warring factions were at the Presidential Villa in Abuja for a meeting summoned by the president.

The crisis took a worst turn when the state government demolished the State House of Assembly on the ground that it wanted to rebuild the ‘weak’ structure.

Also, while the crisis lasted, Governor Siminilayi Fubara presented his 2024 Appropriation Bill to a four-man legislature and got same approved.

But the 27 lawmakers described the exercise as an illegality which cannot stand in whatever form.

Tinubu’s interventions

At the meeting, it was resolved that all matters instituted in courts by Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers state and his team in respect of the political crisis in state, should be withdrawn immediately.

The meeting also resolved that all impeachment proceedings initiated against the governor by the Rivers state House of Assembly should be dropped.

Other resolutions read: “The leadership of the Rivers State House of Assembly as led by the Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule shall be recognized alongside the 27 members who resigned from the PDP.

“The remunerations and benefits of all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and their staff must be reinstated immediately and the Governor of Rivers State shall henceforth not interfere with the full funding of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

“The Rivers State House of Assembly shall choose where they want to sit and conduct their legislative business without interference and/or hindrance from the Executive arm of government.

“The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Fubara, shall re-present the state budget to a properly constituted Rivers State House of Assembly.

“The names of all commissioners in the Rivers State Executive Council who resigned their appointments because of the political crisis in the state should be resubmitted to the House of Assembly for approval.

“There should not be a caretaker committee for the local governments in Rivers State. The dissolution of the Local Government administration is null and void and shall not be recognized.”

The resolution was jointly signed by National Security Adviser (NSA) Mr Nuhu Ribadu, Governor Fubara, Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike; Rivers state Deputy Governor Professor Ngozi Odu, Speaker Rivers State House of Assembly Martin Amaewhule, chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers state, Chief A. Chukwuemeka and his All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Tony Okocha.

Elders decry crisis

The Rivers state elders had, at a meeting on Sunday, condemned the political crisis in the state.

Led by a former governor, Chief Rufus Ada-George, the elders said the attempt to impeach Governor Fubara was unacceptable.

They also condemned the recent defection of 27 lawmakers to the APC.

In a communiqué at the end of an emergency meeting in Port Harcourt, a copy of which was made available to Blueprint, the elders described the development in the state as dangerous and embarrassing.

In the communique signed by Ada-George, the pioneer spokesman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PNDF), Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe and 12 others, they said: “The Forum regretted that neither Governor Siminialayi Fubara nor Chief Nyesom Wike responded to our letters seeking for audience with each of them.

“The attempt to impeach the Governor of Rivers State barely about six months in office without explaining to the good people of the state the reasons and infractions of law is unacceptable.

“The Forum condemned every form of violence and lawlessness in Rivers State and therefore demand proper investigation of the crisis and those responsible be brought to justice.

“The Forum reviewed the demolition of the Rivers State House of Assembly by the Rivers State Government and urged the government to expedite action on rebuilding the demolished House of Assembly complex so that lawmakers will continue their legislative business in the permanent site within the shortest possible time.

“The Forum condemns in its entirety, the misuse of Rivers people political power vested in politicians by the people for personal gains and interest. Hence, we condemn in its entirety, the recent defection of 27 lawmakers without recourse to their constituents.”

While alleging an already written/premeditated court ruling was in the offing to cause mayhem in the state, “the forum therefore urged the judiciary and all security agencies to be wary and alive in discharging their responsibilities in order not to worsen the already tensed atmosphere in Rivers State.

“Finally, the Forum urges President Bola Tinubu, to consolidate on his earlier intervention as the consequences of inaction may not only affect Rivers State, the Niger Delta region and the Federal Government.”