The Rivers Elders and Leaders Forum have expressed strong disapproval of the documented ‘Peace Resolutions’ resulting from the peace meeting initiated by President Bola Tinubu to address the prolonged crisis in Rivers State.
The forum raised concerns, asserting that the contents of the resolutions violate constitutional provisions.
Rufus Ada George, a former Governor of Rivers State and the Chairman of the Rivers Elders and Leaders Forum, conveyed this stance on behalf of the forum. He voiced the group’s dissatisfaction with the “Peace Resolutions” reached during the meeting between Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the Minister of the F.C.T Nyesom Wike, Martins Amaewhule, and others, as directed by the President following an emergency meeting on Tuesday.
While expressing gratitude to President Tinubu for responding to calls for intervention, the elders criticized the resolutions, contending that no one possesses the authority to annul a court directive except a higher court. They also objected to the idea of instructing a House of Assembly to convene at a specific venue, emphasizing the importance of upholding legal processes and respecting the independence of institutions.
“That the directives contravene the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which Mr. President swore to uphold at all times. The directives unilaterally suspended the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in an attempt to reverse a court order recognizing Rt. Honourable Edison Ehie as the speaker and directing that the remainder of members of the House of Assembly constituted the quorum for legislative business,” he said.
Ada George expressed regret over the fact that the primary upholder of the constitution appears comfortable disregarding it. The elder statesman, who served as governor of the state in the third republic, conveyed his disappointment, emphasizing that the rule of law and due process, as indicated by the Rivers State High Court decision, supports the stance that Martins Amaewhule and his team are no longer part of the state House of Assembly due to their defection to another political party. Ada George stressed that attempts to reinstate and remunerate them through unconventional means are against legal principles.
He further asserted that in a constitutional democracy, the executive arm of the government should provide accommodation for legislators, citing the example set by the FCT Minister concerning the National Assembly.
“The eyes of the law and due process, as evidenced by the Rivers State High Court decision, 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 reinstated and remunerated through the back door.
“The Executive arm of Government must provide accommodation for legislators in a constitutional democracy as exemplified by the FCT Minister with respect to the National Assembly”.
The peace pact signed at the Presidential Villa on Monday, resolving the political crisis in Rivers that had persisted for over a month, has garnered reactions. The document, known as the Peace Resolution, outlined six different points of agreement between Governor Fubara and Wike. Notable figures, including the National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu, signed the document.
Governor Fubara is reported to have accepted the outcome, expressing gratitude to the people of Rivers for their overwhelming support during the crisis. He emphasized the importance of peace, stating, “There is no price too big to pay for peace” during a public function on Tuesday.