KEY POINTS
- The governor requests that Rivers stakeholders follow the Supreme Court decision about their political dispute.
- The president requests stakeholders to make peace and legal establishment their main priorities.
- National security faces threat according to PANDEF leaders due to the continuation of the Rivers political crisis.
President Bola Tinubu urges all participants in the Rivers State political situation to embrace the Supreme Court ruling while following the established laws.
Tinubu spoke during his engagement with the leadership of PANDEF at the Presidential Villa in Abuja to stress the importance of keeping Rivers State politically stable while following constitutional requirements.
Tinubu urges Rivers stakeholders, demands a peaceful resolution
At his speech to South-South political leaders Tinubu urges Rivers stakeholders asking all stakeholders to prioritize the welfare of Rivers State through their sacrifices. The Nigerian democracy functions through the rule of law so judicial decisions need full respect for peace to remain stable.
The country operates under laws which establish its structure of governance. The absence of law would prevent my presence as the ruling President. Tinubu declared to the nation that he trusts the judiciary entirely and emphasized that after the court makes its ruling all remaining activities become null and void.
Rivers stakeholders should execute court decisions promptly as the president committed his administration to maintaining peace throughout the region.
Political crisis and PANDEF’s concerns
The political situation in Rivers has worsened between Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike and his successor Siminalayi Fubara who serves as governor of the state. The state politics became deteriorating when Wike’s 27 loyal lawmakers tried to remove Fubara from office which led the Ijaw people to threaten armed confrontations.
The ongoing Niger Delta crisis has worried PANDEF leaders particularly former Akwa Ibom Governor Obong Victor Attah because he believes it will harm national stability. Attah who leads the reconciliation committee for Rivers State requested immediate action because the situation has worsened.
Tinubu’s commitment to Niger Delta development
The Rivers crisis did not divert Tinubu from his commitment to develop the Niger Delta region which he expressed to PANDEF members during their meeting. During the meeting taking place yesterday Tinubu explained that new seaports together with coastal road construction projects would drive economic progress in the area.
The president honored Dr. Samuel Ogbuku as the Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) through praising his leadership before encouraging ongoing support for regional growth.
You have suffered through various situations in this region and I witnessed them. According to Tinubu community development remains deeply personal to him since he cares about regional stability.
A call for unity and action as Tinubu urges Rivers stakeholders
The president demanded PANDEF leaders to lead efforts of peace restoration within Rivers State by returning to their home while pledging support for stability initiatives.
The people of Rivers State require complete protection because backward movement will never be an option. The people of Rivers State need to be protected according to his statement.
Prominent leaders such as King Alfred Diete-Spiff and Senator Seriake Dickson together with Professor Mike Ozekhome and Liyel Imoke and other political and traditional representatives from the Niger Delta joined the meeting to commemorate PANDEF leader Chief Edwin Clark.
