By Ola Kay
An appeal has gone to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reconsider the items contained in the eight-point resolution he spearheaded towards addressing the recent political crisis in Rivers State.
Making the appeal in an open letter (dated March 25, 2024) and addressed to the President Tinubu, a copy of which was made available to The Pinnacle Times, Mr. Caleb Emmanuel Fubara, from Black Fubara Compound in Opobo Town, Rivers State, praised President Tinubu for his political aplomb and timely intervention, not allowing the political upheaval in the state to fester beyond control at the time.
In acknowledgement of President Tinubu role, Fubara said: “You could equally have looked the other way and allow the crisis fester, since Rivers State is a PDP state. But you hearkened to the voice of reason, and that of well-meaning Nigerians, particularly, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, the leader of the Ijaw nation, and, the Ijaw National Congress (INC) to halt the drift. Notwithstanding your tight schedule, you took out time to summon the governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Joseph Fubara, his predecessor, now FCT minister, Barr. Ezebunwo Nyesom Wike and Hon. Martins Amaewhule who were the principal actors in the crisis to the Villa, and have them subscribed to a peace deal.”
But the as the basis for the open letter to the President, the writer observed that that sadly, few months down the lane in the wake of the agreement reached by the political actors who were enmeshed in the crisis, there had been tensioned currently being managed in the state.
“However, three months after the deal was struck, I dare say, Your Excellency; that it has failed in attaining the ultimate goal of reconciling the warring factions. Instead, it had become the template for the palpable tension the state has since been grappling with.
‘This outcome is by no means surprising to any discerning mind. And the reasons are not far-fetched. First, as I mentioned earlier, it would appear that in a bid to halt to the looming anarchy, the constitution which is the grundnorm was not properly consulted in forging the eight-point resolution.
“Also, a reexamination of the document reveals a certain degree of political fiat in its construct,” stated Emmanuel Fubara.
Continuing in his assessment of the aftermath of the resolutions reached at the State House, Abuja, Fubara argued noted, “That the eight-point resolution has since triggered a plethora of litigations is only natural. That it has induced a near state of anomie clearly points to the inherent flaws in the document. That it has thrown up desperadoes and warmongers like Chief Tony Okocha and Engr. Samuel Nwanosike who now disparage, distract and outrightly abuse a sitting governor with reckless abandon is equally expected.
“As for Wike, the man believes the governor is his lackey, therefore, tongue-lashing, and outrightly threatening to give the governor sleepless nights are privileges he believes are within his right. But most worrisome, is the fact Wike doesn’t make empty threats. In other words, backtracking on getting the governor out of office, either by hook or crook isn’t just an option.
He noted with deep concern that, rather than help mitigate the conundrums in the state, the resolutions ended up making the The sitting governor Siminalayi Fubara less in charge.
According to Emmanuel Fubara, “The truth is, some of the articles in the eight-point resolution stealthily stripped the governor of the powers and aura of his office; thus exposing him to the ridicule we see today.
” For instance, article three directed the governor to reinstate former members of the state executive council, who had earlier resigned their appointments from the state cabinet. Truth be told, such directive to a sitting governor, in the very least, leaves a sour taste in the mouth.
“Perhaps, it would have been a different kettle of fish had the governor whimsically sacked the commissioners because he suspected their allegiance lay with the FCT minister. But here, these supposed honourable men and women resigned their appointments on their own volition, citing “personal grounds.”
Fubara pointed out the difficulty in managing affairs with the State House of Assembly, up to the local government councils, based on what he described as divided loyalty
He concluded by saying, “Finally, Your Excellency, in view of the above, it is my humble submission that the eight-point resolution be revisited with the hope that it guarantees sustainable peace and harmony in the Rivers polity.”
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