By Cross Udo, with agency report
President Bola Tinubu has directed Governor Siminalayi Fubara to follow the Supreme Court’s ruling to resolve the political crisis in Rivers State.
The President directed yesterday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja during a meeting with leaders of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF).
Addressing political leaders from the South-South on Tuesday in Abuja, Tinubu emphasised the critical need for adherence to the rule of law in Rivers State to ensure lasting peace and prosperity.
During a meeting with representatives and leaders of the Niger Delta under the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Tinubu reiterated that respect for the judiciary is crucial in upholding democracy and fostering harmony.
The President advised the leaders to be more broadminded, selfless, and focused on the larger vision of salvaging the region, politically and economically, by insisting that the judiciary’s interpretations of the Constitution be respected.
“I am here by the grace of God, appreciating your support, prayers, and concern. I cannot complain. I campaigned for this position and begged for the job. I must do it with all my heart, whatever it takes. I will make sure we achieve our promises and goals.
“Nigeria is a great country. To some cabinet members here, from outside looking in and inside looking out, we have been doing our best to give Nigeria a re-bounce, a reset, and a recalibration of the economic fortune.
*’Action, not rhetoric, is needed from gov’
“Yes, Niger Delta is the goose that lays the golden egg. We must care for the goose; otherwise, we lose the golden egg. I got your signal and your concern, particularly on Rivers State. I have been on the issue for quite some time. I foresaw the crisis festering for too long before I intervened. We reached an agreement, a written agreement, and both parties signed.”
The President said stakeholders must make sacrifices for the state to move forward by recognising the Constitution.
“This is a nation governed by the rule of law. I should not be here as President without a rule of law. I have total confidence in our judiciary. We have expectations. Human beings can make errors. But once the court has spoken, that is it.
“Please go back home and help implement the court rulings within the shortest possible time. I am putting the ball in your court. Help! Privately and openly intervene and counsel the Governor. Pursue the path of peace and stability,” he added.
Tinubu told the delegation that his priority remains community development, particularly projects and programmes that positively impact citizens.
“Go back home and take charge of peace. If you need me, let me know. I have given the situation enough time and enough consideration. We cannot fall back, and we will not. The people of Rivers State will not suffer because of democracy. We worked together on it. They will not suffer. They must be protected,” President Tinubu said.
The President commended the leadership of the Niger Delta.
“I have seen what you have tolerated in the region. Community development is very close to my heart. The leader of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr Samuel Ogbuku, is doing a great job and should be encouraged to do more.
“He is your son. We are all proud of him. Yes, there are lots of misadventurers around Nigeria on democracy. We will continue to work on preserving the integrity and character of our legislators.
“I sincerely thank you for bringing up those issues. And for doing what you are doing for the country. Nigeria is too big for anyone. And greater than anyone. It is so great. That greatness must come from us through our determination, perseverance, and endurance to do all we can to improve it.”
Tinubu thanked the delegation for acknowledging the efforts to stimulate the economy for more sustainable and predictable growth.
“We cannot achieve Eldorado in one day. But we are on the path to it. We will succeed by the grace of God Almighty. We are resetting the economy, and it looks far better. We have funds for our children in college. Our medical colleges are also getting equipped,” he said.
The President noted that the ongoing coastal road project will create new economic benefits for the Niger Delta and the country.
“We are already working with international companies to build ports in the Niger Delta States,” he stated.
King Alfred Papapreye Diete-Spiff, Amanyanabo of Twon-Brass Kingdom and Co-Chairman of the PANDEF Board of Trustees, thanked the President for his commitment to South-South well-being and appointments given to Niger Delta indigenes.
“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. I can say now that God bless Nigeria and your government,” he said.
Obong Victor Attah, former Governor of Akwa Ibom State and co-chair of the PANDEF Board of Trustees called for further intervention in the Rivers State crises.
Attah, who also chairs the reconciliation committee set up by PANDEF in Rivers State, said the political crises in Rivers State threaten national stability and deserve more attention.
“Instability there has far-reaching consequences on the peace and stability of the nation,” he added.
He praised the President’s reforms, including power devolution and regional development recognition, and urged focus on infrastructure, seaports, environmental sustainability, and fiscal federalism in the South-South.
The PANDEF delegation included former governors, legislators, ministers, traditional leaders, religious figures, and youth and women groups.
*Fubara says he’ll comply fully
Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has reiterated his resolve to implement the Supreme Court’s recent judgment on the state’s political crisis.
Fubara gave the assurance yesterday in Port Harcourt at the inauguration of Judges’ Quarters, a housing facility completed by his administration.
The Governor stated that the judges’ quarters were built for Judges indigenous to Rivers by birth or marriage.
He said that the well-being and interest of the state and its people remained paramount to his administration.
“It has not been easy for 16 months, but what is important is the interest of our state, which must be above our interests.
“I want to say it here: the Supreme Court has given a judgment, and my administration will fully implement it. It is not about me; it is about the good of the state,” he said.
The Governor said that the state had lost huge resources during the pendency of the matter in court, saying,” This waste of resources is regrettable.”
Fubara further said that such resources would have been more profitable if channelled towards the welfare of Rivers people.
“Thank God for where we are today. I will continue to say that no price is too big to pay for the peace of our dear state. At the end of the day, it is about our people,” he said.
Fubara stated that completing the facility showed that his administration prioritized the welfare of judicial officers.
“My administration inherited this project; we decided to complete it based on reports and concerns from the Ministry of Justice and the Judiciary.
“We thank God that we have completed this project; we demand proper maintenance of the facility so that it can offer the required satisfaction,” he said.
The state Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Amadi, commended Fubara for completing the project, describing it as ‘another milestone and a great accomplishment for the judiciary.’
Amadi said that the facility continued the policy of providing befitting residential accommodation for judges on an owner-occupier basis.
“The law backs this facility; it will greatly reduce the pressure on judicial officers who struggle to build retirement homes while in service with limited resources,” he said.
