Rising from an emergency meeting at which they reviewed the “President’s directives for the resolution of the political impasse in Rivers State,” the elders in a communique read by Chief Ada-George, said the agreement “unilaterally suspended the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by virtue of an attempt to reverse a court order recognizing.
Edison Ehie as the speaker and directing that the remainder of members of the House of Assembly constituted the quorum for legislative business.”
They said the directive also contravened the doctrine and practice of separation of powers as it affect the responsibility of the judiciary and wondered if the president or Executive arm could overrule the decisions of courts of competent jurisdiction, saying “this portends executive rascality which undermines our constitutional democracy, rule of law and good governance.”
The elders insisted that Amaewhule had ceased to be speaker by the decision of Rivers State High Court, and ceased to be a legislator by virtue of his defection to another party. They also averred that the lawmakers cannot decide where to hold their sittings because “it is the duty of the Executive arm of Government to provide accommodation for legislators in a constitutional democracy as exemplified by the FCT Minister with respect to the National Assembly.” Continuing, they said “the directive to re-present the budget passed and signed into law is a clear attempt to ridicule and denigrate the office of the Governor and the good people of Rivers State.
The elders “enjoined all responsible citizens of Rivers State to rise up in this our moment of truth, to salvage the soul of Rivers State. Our fathers fought for the creation of Rivers State, we will stand to defend it. “When injustice and criminality become law and a way of life in the polity, resistance becomes a duty”.
The terms of agreement brokered by President Tinubu include: “Impeachment moves against Fubara should be dropped; all matters in courts by Fubara and his team should be withdrawn; G27 lawmakers who defected from the PDP to APC are back with their leader, Martin Amaewhule, recognised as speaker; Governor Fubara to represent 2024 budget to Assembly; Remunerations, benefits of all lawmakers reinstated; House to choose where to sit; Names of commissioners, who resigned to be re-submitted to House; and dissolution of LG administrations are nullified.
Among those who pooh-poohed the agreement, which they dismissed as unacceptable are the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP; Elder statesman, Chief EK Clark; the Ijaw Nation, a faction of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Rivers State; Human Rights Advocate and lawyer, Festus Ogwuche; and United States of America chapter of the National democratic Coalition, NADECO.
