Former Local Government Chairmen from the Ijaw ethnic group in Rivers State have urged Governor Siminalayi Fubara to fully comply with the Supreme Court ruling on the state’s political crisis, stressing that adherence to the decision is essential for peace and progress.
At a press conference in Port Harcourt on Thursday, the former Chairman of Akuku-Toru LGA, Hon. Rowland Sekibo, speaking on behalf of the group, accused Governor Fubara of hesitating to implement the court’s decision.
He criticized the governor for rejecting a presidential intervention that he believed would have benefited him, claiming that “conflict-preneurs,” or external influencers, were deepening the crisis by influencing the governor’s actions.
Read Also: There Is Nobody That Has A Monopoly Of Violence – Police Reacts As Militant Group Threatens To Attack Oil Facilities Amid Rivers Crisis
Sekibo stated, “The Presidential intervention provided Governor Fubara with a guarantee of victory, ensuring that he would not face impeachment and encouraging him to work with the Assembly, but he dismissed it as unconstitutional, under pressure from these same conflict-preneurs from within and outside the state.”
He expressed concern that, despite the Supreme Court’s ruling, tensions continue in the state, with threats against the government.
Sekibo accused certain individuals and groups within the Ijaw community of trying to destabilize the state by threatening to sabotage national oil infrastructure if Fubara were impeached.
He specifically named Prof. Benjamin Okaba, Leader of the Ijaw National Congress, and former militant leader Asari Dokubo as those making threats that could jeopardize Nigeria’s energy security.
Sekibo questioned why impeachment remained a point of contention despite the Supreme Court’s ruling and condemned the threats as groundless.
He urged the federal government and the public to ignore these threats, warning that such rhetoric unfairly tarnishes the image of the Ijaw community.
Read Also: Militant Group Threatens To Attack Oil Facilities Amid Rivers Crisis
He also criticized Governor Fubara for allegedly encouraging dissatisfaction with the Supreme Court ruling instead of using it to foster peace.
“We strongly condemn these baseless threats and urge the Federal Government and Nigerians to disregard them, as they portray the Ijaw community in a negative light. Furthermore, these threats target people from other ethnic groups in Rivers State who also supported Governor Fubara. Unfortunately, the Governor himself is not without fault for inciting criticism of the judgment. Instead of calming tensions after the ruling, he publicly suggested that he would lead youth and supporters in promoting violence,” Sekibo said.
He stressed that impeachment is a constitutional process for holding public officials accountable and called on the Ijaw community to ensure Governor Fubara avoids actions that could lead to his removal. Sekibo also urged security agencies to take swift action to enforce the Supreme Court’s decision and pledged their support in addressing those inciting unrest in the state.
“To ensure the rapid implementation of the Supreme Court judgment, we call on the Police, DSS, military, and all other relevant security agencies to act promptly and peacefully to enforce the ruling,” he added.
Sekibo also urged Rivers youths, particularly those of Ijaw descent, to avoid actions that would endanger lives and property in their communities.
The press conference was attended by former chairpersons from Ogu/Bolo, Hon. Daniel Daniel; Okrika, Hon. Akuro Tobin; Andoni, Hon. Erastus Awortu; Asari-Toru, Hon. Onengiye George; Akuku-Toru, Hon. Rowland Sekibo; Degema, Hon. Michael Williams, and Vice Chairmen from Ahoada West and PHALGA, Hon. Ubile Jacks and Hon. Tamunotonye Douglas, all of whom called for adherence to the rule of law.
Join Informant Online WhatsApp Channel With Link Below: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaihFajBadmT29ufud2
