PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has counselled Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, to back home and implement fully, the recent judgment of the Supreme Court regarding the political crises in the state.
In the same vein, he urged elders and stakeholders from the state, and indeed, the Niger Delta, to help the governor to implement those recommendations,
Tinubu, who gave the advice during a meeting with the delegation of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) at Aso Villa, Abuja, stressed that
Fubara must comply fully and immediately with the judgment to keep the peace in Rivers State, saying the country is governed by the rule of law, without which there will be no order or governance.
Responding on the group’s request for his intervention in the crisis, Tinubu told the PANDEF delegation, was led by its joint Board of Trustees (BoT) Co-chairmen, Amanyanabo of Twon-Brass, King Alfred Diete-Spiff, and former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Obong Victor Attah, as well as its Chairman, Ambassador Godknows Igali, politicians, top government officials, traditional rulers and senior figures from the zone, to assist Fubara in the task.
He said to them: “Please, go back home and help him implement those recommendations within the shortest possible time. I put the ball back in your court. Help him, because, privately and openly, I intervened and counselled the governor.
“Only yesterday (Monday), I told him again to pursue the path of peace and stoop to conquer.
“This is a nation governed by the rule of law. I should not be here as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria if there was no rule of law. I have total confidence in our judiciary.
“Human beings can make errors, but when the Supreme Court has spoken, that’s it.”
Recall that the President had earlier intervened and made the feuding parties to reach an agreement, which has been breached, especially by the governor and his supporters, who claimed it was skewed against them.
The President recounted: “We reached an agreement, a written agreement, and both parties signed. Some leaders thought the governor was wrong to have signed it and didn’t implement it. Where did we find ourselves today?
“I’ve given the situation enough time, enough thinking, enough consideration. We cannot falter, we will not. The people of Rivers State must not suffer for the democracy that we all pulled together. They will not; they must be protected. I assure you; we’ll do better.”
Tinubu assured the PANDEF leaders of his administration commitment to the completion of ongoing projects in the South-South region, noting: “Send somebody to go look at what’s going on with the coastal road (Lagos/Calabar). That’s a huge economy and the opportunities associated with it.
“Yes, we’re working with internationally reputable companies to make Uyo Port, Calabar Port and other South-South ports a reality. We’re resetting the economy, and it’s tilted far better now. There’s funding for our children in universities, our medical colleges are well-equipped.
“Yes, there’s an infrastructure deficit in some areas, but we will fix it. We’re setting our priorities right.
“With our youthful population, we can achieve the greatest things in Africa. Let us not look at the past wastes, let us learn lessons from it and move forward with this country.
“Whatever remains in these memos that you’ve submitted, I will take a look at them. We’ll meet more regularly.
“Go back home and take charge of peace, and if you need me, let me know.”
He charged the elders to support young leaders making strides in community development, such as the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, who he said was doing a very good job and should be encourage to achieve more.
Earlier, Diete-Spiff thanked the President for his commitment to the wellbeing of the South-South and the appointments given to region’s indigenes, adding: “Your government has taken the bull by the horns, and we are sure you will succeed. We are here to give you our assurance and support. God bless Nigeria and your government.”
On his part, Attah, who is also Chairman of PANDEF Reconciliation Committee on the Rivers crisis, called for further intervention in the matter, saying it is a threat to national stability and deserves more attention.
He praised the President’s reforms, including power devolution and regional development recognition, and urged focus on infrastructure, seaports, environmental sustainability, and fiscal federalism.
