President Bola Tinubu has restated the need for stakeholders to adhere to the rule of law in Rivers State to ensure lasting peace and prosperity.
He made this call on Tuesday while addressing political leaders from the South-South in Abuja.
In a statement on Tuesday the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu reiterated that respect for the judiciary is crucial in upholding democracy and fostering harmony.
“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,” he said.
He also acknowledged the importance of the Niger Delta region, stating, “Yes, Niger Delta is the goose that lays the golden egg. We must care for the goose; otherwise, we lose the golden egg.”
Tinubu advised stakeholders to make sacrifices for the state to move forward by recognizing the Constitution.
“This is a nation governed by the rule of law. I should not be here as President without a rule of law. I have total confidence in our judiciary.”
He urged the leaders to intervene and counsel Governor Sim Fubara to uphold the rule of law.
“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 said.
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.
Obong Victor Attah, former governor of Akwa Ibom State and co-chair of the PANDEF Board of Trustees, called for further intervention in the Rivers State crises, stating that instability in the state has far-reaching consequences on national stability.
Persecondnews recalls that the Supreme Court had upheld a Federal High Court ruling that bars the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Accountant-General of the Federation from disbursing statutory monthly allocations to the state.
The ruling was made in a suit challenging the legitimacy of the Martins Amaewhule-led faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
In the lead judgment, Justice Emmanuel Agim ruled that the 27 lawmakers accused of defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) remain legitimate members of the Rivers State House of Assembly until a final decision is reached in the suit challenging their status.
“The members of the Rivers state house of assembly who allegedly defected are still legitimate members of the house of assembly and have the power to conduct the business of the assembly,” the apex court held.
The court also ordered the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Accountant-General of the Federation to immediately halt the release of all funds, revenues, and allocations to the Rivers State government until a valid budget is presented and approved by the Martins Amaewhule-led House of Assembly.
Additionally, the court imposed a N5 million cost against Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The ruling is a significant development in the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State, which has seen the state government and the legislature at odds over the budget and other issues.
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