President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday said all stakeholders in the Rivers State polity should adhere to the rule of law to ensure lasting peace and prosperity.
Tinubu made this appeal to political leaders from the South-South during a meeting with representatives and leaders of the Niger Delta under the Pan-Niger Delta Forum at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, revealed details of Tuesday’s parley in a statement titled, “President Tinubu calls for adherence to the rule of law to restore peace in Rivers State.”
Tinubu reiterated that respect for the judiciary is crucial in upholding democracy and fostering harmony.
His comments come amid the long-drawn power tussle between the immediate past Rivers Governor, Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, and the incumbent Governor, Sim Fubara.
A recent Supreme Court recently ruled in favour of the faction led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, who is aligned with Wike.
The judgment reinstated 27 lawmakers loyal to Wike, challenging Fubara’s earlier attempts to assert control over the state assembly.
Although Fubara has since promised to comply with the judgment, certain factions are calling for his resignation or impeachment.
The president advised the leaders to be more broad-minded, 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.
He said, “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.
“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.
He emphasised that Nigeria is a nation governed by the rule of law, stating that he would not be serving as President if not for the primacy of legal frameworks.
He expressed total confidence in the judiciary, acknowledging that human beings can make mistakes but maintaining that once the courts have ruled, their decision stands as final.
Tinubu urged the delegation to return home and ensure that relevant court rulings are implemented as swiftly as possible, placing responsibility in their hands and calling for both private and public intervention to counsel the governor.
“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.
He 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 saying, “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, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, is doing a great job and should be encouraged to do more.”’
Tinubu stated, “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.”
The president 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.
The former governor of Akwa Ibom State and co-chair of the PANDEF Board of Trustees, Obong Victor Attah, called for further intervention in the Rivers State crisis.
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.
