Rivers Elders Condemn Peace Resolution Proffered By Tinubu

The Rivers Elders and Leaders Forum has expressed their displeasure with the documented “peace resolutions” that emerged from the peace meeting convened by President Bola Tinubu to resolve the ongoing crisis in Rivers State, complaining that the contents violate constitutional provisions.

Rufus Ada George, a former Governor of Rivers State and Chairman of the Rivers Elders and Leaders Forum, spoke on behalf of the Forum in response to the “Peace Resolutions” agreed upon by Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Minister of the F.C.T., Nyesom Wike, Martins Amaewhule, and others as instructed by the President after an urgent meeting on Tuesday.

While appreciating President Tinubu for heeding calls to intervene, the elders criticised him, saying no one has the authority to nullify a court order except a higher court or ask a House of Assembly to convene at any preferred venue.

“He said that the directives violate the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which Mr. President vowed to uphold at all times. The directives arbitrarily suspended the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in an attempt to overturn a court order recognising Rt. Honourable Edison Ehie as the speaker and directing that the rest of the members of the House of Assembly form the quorum for legislative business,” he said.

Ada George wondered why the number one defender of the constitution is at ease disregarding it.

The elder statesman who was governor of the state in the third republic said: “The eyes of the law and due process, as shown by the Rivers State High Court decision, show that the Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule and his team have ceased to exist in the state House of Assembly having defected to another political party, and therefore cannot be restored and paid through the back door. The Executive Arm of Government must provide accommodation for legislators in a constitutional democracy, as demonstrated by the FCT Minister with respect to the National Assembly.”.

Reactions have continued to follow the peace pact signing done at the Presidential Villa on Monday between the parties involved in the political crisis that has shaken Rivers for over a month.

A document contained about six different points of agreement between Governor Fubara and Wike. The National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, and others signed the document, which was released as the Peace Resolution.

Governor Fubara is believed to have accepted the outcome. While speaking at a public function on Tuesday, he thanked the Rivers people for their tremendous support during the crisis and said, “There is no price too big to pay for peace.”.