“The so-called ‘directives’ of the President Bola Tinubu on Rivers political impasse is bereft of any constitutional mandate. At best, it is advisory, at worst it is slavish. Rivers State is a full federating unit like 35 others, it is not an MDA like the FCT that is run via orders of the President”.
BY TONYE BARCANISTA
- A competent judicial authority, the Rivers State High Court, legitimized the Speakership of Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie. That decision cannot be undone by Presidential directives except the same Judge or a Superior court decides otherwise. In other words, Edison Ehie remains the Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly.
- The 2024 Budget of Rivers State has been passed and signed by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, making it a law. That process can’t be undone nor can the bill be re-presented except the Supreme Court invalidates it.
- 25 Assembly seats have been declared vacant, and communication has been sent to INEC notifying it of the vacancies. That cannot be undone until the Supreme Court decides otherwise.
- The Commissioners that resigned cited personal reasons for leaving the cabinet, Rivers people expect them to be true to their convictions and stick to their personal reasons for exit. There are thousands of qualified Riverians across the 23 Local Government Areas that can excellently perform the duties of commissioners and would be absolutely loyal to the Governor.
- The so-called ‘directives’ of the President Bola Tinubu on Rivers political impasse is bereft of any constitutional mandate. At best, it is advisory, at worst it is slavish. Rivers State is a full federating unit like 35 others, it is not an MDA like the FCT that is run via orders of the President.
- In 2003, Governor Chris Ngige resisted to be caged by the Chris Uba dynasty. That move literally ended Chief Chris Uba and his dynasty access to Anambra State Government House ever since.
- Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki and Edo people stood firm in 2020 with the famous “Edo no bi Lagos” narrative to ensure that the Governor is not reduced to mere warrant Chief.
- Osun people moved against the Tinubu political establishment in 2022 by voting out Governor Gboyega Oyetola. In 2023 they further shut their doors to the establishment by ensuring that APC lost all contested seats in the general elections save a lone Assembly seat.
- Siminalayi Fubara is not Akinwumi Ambode!
- Rivers people have noted the letters of that document, our message is simple… “We cannot be cowed because we are not a conquered people”
- I so submit!
