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By Kelechi Nwaucha
Even as Rivers people continue to weather the political storm presently engulfing the state, a coalition of elders and leaders from various backgrounds and thought, have frowned at the recent peace accord reportedly brokered by President Bola Tinubu between the state governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Chief Nyesom Wike.
Tracing the origin of the political crisis between the erstwhile governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike, and his political godson, the incumbent governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, the group, Coalition of Rivers State Leaders of Thoughts (CORSLOT), said “On the 30th day of October 2023, Nigerians woke up with the news of the burning down of the chambers of the Rivers State House of Assembly, and the attempt on the life of the governor of the state while on his way to ascertain the situation.
“The next thing that hit the citizens of the state was the Notice of Impeachment on the governor. Thereafter was the removal of the House Leader, Edison Ehie, who was later proclaimed as Speaker, making the state to be in a situation of having 2 speakers. This was followed by a High Court ruling in Rivers State affirming Edison Ehie as the Speaker. All these culminating in the peace accord by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
“This situation has consequently elicited reactions from divers quarters even nationally. A group known and called Rivers Elders and Leaders Forum headed by our former governor, His Excellency Chief Rufus Ada George disapproved the peace accord, and has headed to court to challenge the said accord,” they said.
Short of alleging bullying, the Coalition of Rivers State Leaders of Thoughts (CORSLOT) expressed their reservation at “the manner in which the presidential peace accord was delivered against the state governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, which shows that it did not address the root cause of the problem. The exercise as observed, presents the scenario as bullying and intimidation of an elected governor which is the symbol of authority and power of Rivers State.”
In a release signed by High Chief Sunnie Chukumele, Prof. Blessing Didia, Hon. Alalibo Fredericks, Dr. Parry Saro Benson, Hajiya Maggie Marian Batubo, Engr. CD Samuel, Hon. Linda Douglas Wibani, Hon. George N. Ariolu, Chief Hon. Tammy Datoru, Wing Cdr. Michael Akunuite and Chief Hon. Timothy Ntedeng, the group said they “found it as nebulous, a situation where representative of another political party outside the ruling party is signing the peace accord. In this case, other major political parties should have been invited for the negotiation and accord in the state.”
Presenting the statement, tagged: ‘Review and Appraisal of Political Developments in the State Since the 30th October 2023,’ to newsmen in Port Harcourt on Friday, convener of the group, High Chief Sunnie Chukumele, said the group appreciates the President and others who have shown “genuine interest in the developments of our state by ensuring that peace is regained between the conflicting parties.”
He however stressed that “we also observed that the Abuja proclamation did not recognize constitutional, judicial and legal issues regarding the state legislators who defected from the political party that gave them the platform to a new one. Rivers people are worried about these issues.”
High Chief Chukumele pointed out that “above all, clauses 5 to 7 of the peace accord are obnoxious and repugnant in nature, and hence unacceptable to Rivers people. This is not about the governor, but the entirety of the people of Rivers State.
“Accepting clause 5 means that Rivers state House of Assembly can sit in a beer palour to deliberate and pass laws for the state, while clause 6 will present the worst oddity in governance as it will be record breaking in executive cowardice and stupidity.”
He also noted that representing a state budget that had been passed into law and assented to by the governor “is akin to what obtains in a Banana Republic. Then the clause 7 means that there are no other persons so qualified to serve in the State Executive Council other than those who willingly resigned their appointments. This will amount to a laughing stock.
“We welcome the implementation of the peace accord so far with the withdrawals of pending actions in the court by both sides. Furthermore, we commend the stance of the state governor on the peace process as we believe also that peace is priceless.
“We are happy with the Governor’s Christmas Day visit to his predecessor, Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, His Excellency Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike-CON. We believe by such steps, real peace based on mutual love and respect would be birthed to the Glory of God,” he said.
The group further condemned “the sectionalization and ethnicization of the political conflict in Rivers State. The problem should at all times be seen as Rivers State problem and must be solved by Rivers people,” adding that personalities such as former President Goodluck Jonathan, “who is our in-law,” King Alfred Diete Spiff, the first military governor of Old Rivers State, “and CORSLOT can also be invited to mediate.”
They also condemned “in its entirety, the ugly development of accusation of intimidation and vandalism against opposing and dissenting voices and opinion.”
