Sheathe Your Swords – Rivers Elders Urge Political Actors

• Insist warring parties must embrace peace

BY ONYEKACHUKWU IBEZIM – A former Rivers State Governor and Chairman of the Rivers Elders and Leaders Forum, Chief Rufus Ada-George, has urged all the political gladiators in the raging crisis to sheathe their swords and embrace the path of peace.

For the Elders, the warring parties must henceforth refrain from inflammatory statements, unnecessary ultimatums and threats in the overall interest of Rivers state.

Chief Ada-George said at a media conference on Monday that that all well-meaning individuals and groups should demonstrate commitment to the peace and well-being of the state.

Reminding actors in the current political crisis of the State’s rich history and the remarkable progress made over the years, the former Governor said; “Currently, it appears that we are drifting far into the ocean. But, we still need to aim higher for peaceful co-existence and greater developments”.

He said in light of the seemingly boiling political pronouncement and judgment by the Supreme Court, “I assert that peace is our utmost priority. “I call on all parties involved to immediately stop all threats, inflammatory statements, ultimatums and exercise restraint in their pronouncements to avoid escalating the fever pitch tension.”

The Forum Chairman further stated that it is important to “draw lessons from history, particularly from the then 1962 Western Regional crisis as recently emphasised by one prominent citizen of that area.

According to him; “Avoidable crises of this nature, if not swiftly and fairly handled, may have far-reaching consequences not just in Rivers State but on the entire nation.

“We cannot afford to degenerate into such a crisis again.”

He said although the Supreme Court had given its verdict, there was still room for humane and pragmatic decisions to be made.

“Already, the flashy lights are increasing by the day with the pronounced withholding of monthly allocations to the state. The end product and anger are being visibly seen on the faces of the ordinary man on the street.

“As a people, we must constantly cultivate the attitude of compromise. Even in the most tense and war-torn regions, compromise has proven to be a powerful tool for resolving conflicts and fostering peace”.

Ada-George called on all former governors and their deputies to speak out in the best interest of Rivers State, even as he also urged the 32 member Legislative House to prioritise the well-being of the state above personal and sectional interests.

“It’s time for us to come together as one cohesive, united people in our quest for peace and prosperity. As the oldest civilian governor of Rivers State, I’m optimistic about the future of our dear state.

“I, therefore, urge you all to join me in this call to action, to work together towards a peaceful, brighter, more prosperous future for ourselves and for generations to come,” the former Governor said.

In his intervention, a member of the Rivers Elders and Leaders Forum and pioneer spokesman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Amabs Sara-Igbe, chided the factional All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman in Rivers State, Chief Tony Okocha for fomenting trouble.

Sara-Igbe defended the letter addressed to the Speaker of the Assembly through the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Tamunobaabo Wenike Danagogo

“I am surprised that Tony Okocha, with his level of education, does not know the role of the executive governor. Do the President or Governor sign letters officially?

“Official letters are communicated through the Secretary to the Government whether Federal or State. It’s not the role of Mr President or Mr Governor to sign letters.

“There are no two governors in Rivers State. We have only one governor who is the Head of the government and so if the Head of the government invites you to a meeting, it is normal, it is right, except you’ll tell us we have two governors,” he said.

Warning that any attempt to take the Governor Fubara’s peace overtures as a sign of weakness would be resisted by the people of the state and the Niger Delta, the Elder said; “Nobody is praying for problems. The Governor said he’s going to implement the Supreme Court judgment. The judgment did not say impeach him or he should resign, right?

“And even though we have issues with the Supreme Court judgment, it’s the highest court, so we’re going to obey it; we’re going to implement it.

“But they should not take that for granted because we want to implement the judgment, so he (Okocha) will talk anyhow.

“Rivers people will not take it lightly and Niger Delta will not take it if anything happens to Sim. Let him get it clear in his mind,” he cautioned.