Few days after the Christmas day broadcast made by the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara amid the controversial peace pact brokered by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in a bid to end the political impasse in the State, some elders and leaders of thought have expressed their stances.
Africa Update learnt that the forum led by former Rivers State Governor, Chief Rufus Ada-George, made the declaration in two separate strong-worded open letters dated December 24, 2023, addressed to Mr. President and Governor Fubara and read to newsmen in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
In their letters, they opined that there will be peace in Port Harcourt and indeed Rivers State if only the Governor will be circumspect in his actions measured in his engagements.
The open letter written to Fubara reads in part: We came out after our meeting with this open letter addressed to the Executive Governor of our State and the letter has the heading; “Peace in Galilee”, exactly the same heading in his broadcast.
“Seasonal greetings from the Elders and leaders of thought of Rivers State. And we hope that this letter meets you well and healthy.
” The message of the Angels at Christmas is peace to all men and this is indeed our message to you, the government and good people of Rivers State.
” Based on our faith and belief as Christians, we accepted this angelic peace made over 2,000 years ago.
“We accept your humility as shown in your Christmas day broadcast of 25th December 2023 to the good people of Rivers State.
“However, we the people of Rivers State do not see any peace in this so-called Mr. President’s peace proclamation. The President’s peace proclamation has elicited mixed reactions from many people and from our people across the Country.
“Peace can only be practised in a germane, truthful and trust society. In this case, the environment in which the peace was brokered, showed no sensitivity to the Peoples’ security, political and social interest.
” Mr. Governor Sir, you stated categorically that you are a principal participant in the entire saga and the presidential peace proclamation is not as bad as being portrayed by those genuinely opposed to it.
“That proclamation is actually a death sentence as it breaches all legal and constitutional rights you swore to uphold. Mr. Governor, you also stated in your broadcast that the document offered a way and means for peace.”
The Forum consequently urged the Governor not to place ” too much premium on the assurances of detractors” but rather be guided by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which he swore to uphold.
Making reference to the Arab/ Israeli War that was declared over, at the lawns of the White House, the Forum observed that the document signed by the late Israeli Prime Minister and the late PLO Chairman Arafat, has been “shredded into pieces”. Noting that there is neither celebration of Christmas nor peace in Bethlehem.
The Forum further tasked Governor Fubara to disregard the contents of the peace proclamation and only discharge his constitutional duties to the people of the State.
While commending the President for heeding their call to help mediate the political rift between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and Fubara, the elders said, “However, as a people, we are now at a loss as to whether your intervention has helped in quelling the crisis or escalated it.
“For us, as custodians of the Rivers people’s conscience and morality, we find the directive resolution document lopsided and skewed in favour of the interest of your current minister, Nyesom Wike, to the detriment of the Governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, the governance of the state and the interest of the generality of the good people of Rivers State.”
The elders stated that the composition and attendance of the presidential truce showed lack of balance between the two warring factions.They said the faction recognised by a court of competent jurisdiction, the elders of the state, traditional rulers, women and youth leadership, were not represented at the meeting.
The letter reads, “Does the President have the powers to overrule the ruling of a court of competent jurisdiction when he is a product of the court himself?
“Central to this, Mr President, is the sacred doctrine and practice of the separation of powers. May we inform Mr. President that the seats of the cross carpeting members have been declared vacant by the Speaker, known to law, Rt Hon Ehie Edison, through an ex parte order issued by the Federal High Court Port Harcourt division.
“We cannot but imagine how providing accommodation and meeting venue for legislative business becomes the duty of members of the House of Assembly who you directed to sit wherever they choose and not by the Executive Arm as in the case of the National Assembly Complex were Legislative Quarters are provided and maintained by the Executive Arm.
“Given the foregoing, it is obviously evident that Governor Siminialayi Fubara, the Chief Executive Officer of Rivers State, was coerced into submitting to your premeditated action plan even when it is well known that Mr. President does not possess such powers to give directives to a democratically elected governor or impose his will on the state government and the good people of Rivers State.
“As far as we are concerned, that meeting did not happen and those directives are not implementable because to do so will be acting against the constitution and the rule of law.”
Africa Update gathered that the open letters were signed by Chief Rufus Ada George, Dr Gabriel Toby, Ibim Princewill, Rear Adm. P. Fingesi, (retd.), Emeritus Prof Dagogo Fubara, HRH Iraron, Ede Obolo, Anabs Sara-Igbe, Senator Bennett Birabi, Ms. Annkio Briggs, Captain Nwankwo, Prof. A.W. Obianime, Prof. E. T. Bristol, and Chief Marcus Atata among others.
