Following the departure of 27 MPs to the All Progressives Congress (APC), the National Publicity Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Debo Ologunagba, vowed that the party will write to the Independent National Electoral Commission to demand that new elections be held to replace the lawmakers.
In the novel Lord of the Flies, written by William Golding, the famous Darwinian theory of “survival of the fittest” is conceptualized as the conviction that the only people who would achieve success are those who have a strong desire to succeed and the ability to change as circumstances change. As a result of their stylish submission to Niccolo Machiavelli’s exitus Ácta probat, which translates to “the end justifies the means,” this work becomes vital in evaluating the impending rift that is reportedly occurring between a “godfather” and a “son.”
The disagreement continues to have a significant impact on the governance and economic activities that take place in Rivers State. As a result, there is a requirement for a settlement in order to guarantee that the people of the state will be able to reap the benefits of democracy through uninterrupted government. This is due to the fact that when elephants fight, the grass is the one that suffers.
The people of Rivers State have been ignored in this topic on a consistent basis, despite the fact that they are bemoaning the unfortunate situation that has arisen in the state. In light of this, it is important to keep in mind that the nation is still mired in an economic quagmire, making it difficult for its residents to obtain food, shelter, or clothing.
Other state governments have, in their respective capacities, put measures into place to ensure that the yearnings of the people in these various states are met. However, here comes Rivers State, plunging into an unnecessary brawl of superiority at the expense of the people who have chosen them to represent them as their representatives. Politicians ought to be aware by this point that governance is not about them since they are obligated to concentrate on their primary responsibility, which is to improve the nation, the state, and the people.
Loss of financial resources
It was stated that some individuals who were suspected of being arsonists tossed an explosive into the building at approximately 9:25 p.m. in October 2023, which resulted in the destruction of the Rivers State House of Assembly facility. As stated mentioned, the incident occurred as a consequence of what are believed to be actions taken by a few politicians in an effort to impeach Governor Fubara.
The factory that was located along Moscow Road in Port Harcourt was demolished on December 6, 2023, immediately after bulldozers entered into the complex and began the demolition process. In a statement that was released, the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Joseph Johnson, revealed that the facility was deemed unsafe for use as a result of the fire that completely damaged the complex and destroyed property that was worth millions of naira. In the present moment, the state government has agreed to rebuild the complex with a significant amount of expenditure.
Desperately confused loyalists
During the time that other governments were presenting their budgets, Rivers State decided not to do so since the escalating crisis was preventing the state from improving. This was presumed to be the result of a disagreement within the House, where there were two speakers who were part of opposing factions. The state administration made the decision to provide a budget of N800 billion, and there was a question regarding the location within which the document detailing the expenditures for the year would be given.
While this was going on, the loyalists were waiting in line behind their masters. A few lawmakers were waiting in line with Governor Siminalayi Fubara, while the 27 members were waiting behind Nyesom, who was the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and the immediate former governor of the state.
MUHAMMED LAWAL investigates the problem that has Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State and Minister Nyesom Wike of the Federal Capital Territory in conflict with one another, as well as the ways in which the actions taken to address this crisis have become a topic of discussion.
The situation took an unexpected turn when 27 members who were loyal to Wike deviated from the People’s Democratic Party, which was in power at the time, and joined the All Progressives Congress. Many people interpreted this as an attempt to guarantee that the budget proposal for the state was not approved by the House of Assembly with the quorum that was required for the vote to be considered valid. Edison Ehie served as the speaker at the presentation of the N800 billion budget by the governor, who was accompanied by four lawmakers. However, this strategy was unsuccessful. Still, the issue continues to make it difficult for activities to take place in the state.
PDP and APC both step in.
Additionally, President Bola Tinubu issued an order that all cases that were brought before the courts by the governor and his team in relation to the political crisis should be withdrawn, and that any impeachment processes that were brought against the governor by the state House of Assembly should be immediately discontinued.
Governor Fubara Wike, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Speaker of the Rivers State Assembly Martin Amaewhule, Rivers State PDP Chairman Aaron Chukwuemeka, and Tony Okocha, the state APC Chairman, were among the important stakeholders who were present for the signing of the resolution that was intended to resolve the dispute.
There was a portion of the resolution that read, “The leadership of the Rivers State House of Assembly as led by the Rt. Thank you. Not only will Martin Amaewhule be recognized, but also the 27 other members of the PDP who resigned from their positions.
“The remunerations and benefits of all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and their staff must be reinstated immediately, and the Governor of Rivers State shall from this point forward refrain from interfering with the full funding of the Rivers State House of Assembly,” the statement reads.
In light of the fact that a resolution has been reached, what would happen to the lawmakers who have defected?
Former government officials are in disagreement with their successors.
In 2014, Dr. Peter Odili expressed his sorrow for having supported Mr. Rotimi Amaechi in his bid to ascend to the position of governor of the state in 2007. He claimed that Amaechi had broken the structure of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) by transitioning to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The governor of Nigeria, Wike, has called an emergency security meeting.
On the other hand, it was reported that Odili was the one who initiated the quarrel between the current governors and their predecessors in the respective state. At one point in time, he was also serving as the governor of the state, and it was reported that he had a relationship with Ada George that ended in divorce. Odili was reported to have disagreed with those who was responsible for bringing him to power, as evidenced by the fact that Amaechi was against him. This kind of disagreement between governors and their successors has persisted right up until the present day, as Governor Fubara and Governor Wike continue to have a strong relationship.
In response, stakeholders
Tony Okocha, the Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State, acknowledged the restoration of peace in the state. He stated that President Tinubu’s intervention was essential, and he added that it contributed to the restoration of peace in Rivers State.
He stated, “Yes, the intervention that President Tinubu has made is legitimate.” Because the president is such a busy guy, he does not have the time to interfere in the internal affairs of the states. On the other hand, there were several demands made to the president by residents of Rivers State as well as those from outside the state, begging him to interfere in the political crisis that was plaguing the state. During a certain period of time, the House of Assembly was destroyed by fire, and this building was a symbol of democracy in the state. As all of this was going on, people were pleading with the president to step in, and he granted their request. If it weren’t for the involvement of the president, we would have been in a terrible situation by now. The president’s intervention saved the day.
“The one who ultimately benefits by the intervention of the president is the governor of the state. With the exception of bringing peace back to the state. Not only was the intervention right on time, but it was also the answer. It is impossible for there to be progress when there is a state of conflict. There must be peace in the state of Rivers.
According to Timothy Osadolor, who is a member of the Imo State Campaign Council and the National Deputy Youth Leader of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the crisis that has been occurring in Rivers State is a shame. He also stated that the President does not have the authority to issue directions to Governor Fubara.
“I believe that what is taking place in Rivers State is a terrible thing. In addition, I am of the opinion that it is something that ought not to take place. The fact that the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, is giving classroom and headmaster’s directions to Governor Fubara as if he were one of his appointments in Rivers State is something that has shocked me up until this moment. There is no way that anyone could have brought to President Tinubu’s attention the fact that his powers are neither boundless or that of God. It is beyond my comprehension how this could have happened.
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“Whatever they have done is to place Governor Fubara in a difficult position; if you go to Rivers State today, they say that he is a man who has issues and that he made an agreement with Wike, possibly even with the President, which he has not honored. When it comes to Governor Fubara, whom I am personally acquainted with, I am aware that it is the most humiliating thing in the world to request that a governor go and represent a budget that he had ceremoniously signed into law by the governor. In light of the fact that this is a heinous act that need to be denounced in its entirety, he ought to review the commissioners who quit on him. To put it on record, however, members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) are not content, the leadership of the party is not sleeping, and Nigerians are keeping a close eye on the situation.
No matter what occurs today, the good news is that it has been documented on the internet, and Nigerians will never be able to forget it. The fact that we are unable to take any action at this time does not mean that there will not be a great deal of action taken against it. The question is when and how it will be done. I am confident that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the Nigerian people will respond to these questions. According to the law, any agreement that they have signed as gentlemen is legally enforceable; yet, why would they use it to undo the terms of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which is illegal in and of itself? A constitutional issue might be, for example, the process of creating the budget; another constitutional issue would be the seats in the House of Assembly that are currently vacant.
“When did President Tinubu become the Supreme Court and judge of the Supreme Court all by himself, where he decides which cases should be brought to court and which ones should be dropped?” It is no longer about the People’s Democratic Party (PDP); it is about the integrity of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the sanctity of the things that we do in this nation in the name of politics. I believe that Nigerians should declare that enough is enough.
In response to the problems that are occurring in the state, Enefaa Georgwill, who is the Chairman of the South-South United Action for Democracy and the Rivers State Civil Society Organizations, declared that the resolution was not required because it was crafted with the intention of undermining the Rivers State Government.
“The decision that was passed during the alleged conference is a slap in the face to the state of Rivers. We are curious as to whether or not the resolution was actually proposed by Mr. President; it was a resolution that put the state in the hands of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. Rivers State and the governor respectively are the owners of the state. As of today, the people voted for Fubara, and he owes them the responsibility to handle resources, provide security, and other governmental tasks. In addition, the President does not have the authority to make a decision regarding an issue that is currently being litigated in court for several reasons.
“The removal of Martins Amaewhule was approved by the court, and it continues to be considered approved. If a case is brought before the Court of Appeal or the Supreme Court, only that particular court has the authority to overturn it on its own. In my experience, I have never witnessed a president make a decision regarding a case that is already being heard in court. A democratic party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) does not have any divisions, and it has a single national chairperson. The question that we are primarily concerned with is: what happens to a lawmaker who has deserted when his party is not divided? We are all aware that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has a single National Executive, and that they also have a single Executive at the state level. What were the reasons behind their departure? This is a matter of legal concern. Therefore, the President is unable to make a decision unless we return to the system of military dictatorship that existed in the past.
As a result of this, we are arguing that the administration does not possess the constitutional authority to interpret topics that are already before the court. In the event if gladiators wish to meet and interact for political reasons, then this is acceptable to a certain level; nevertheless, with regard to the matter in Rivers State, the President does not possess the constitutional authority to intervene. To put it another way, we are suggesting that the legislators should either be ready for a new election or, as an alternative, they could go to court in order to obtain a judicial pronouncement. It is impossible for anyone, including the governor and the Speaker, to reverse their own decision. We will take issues with them and take them to court because they do not have such power; the only institution that possesses it is the court. If they agree to reverse anything, we will take issues directly with them.
The sole aim of government is to carry out its duties and distribute the benefits of government, which are collectively referred to as the benefit of democracy. The governor should be able to concentrate on government, thus those who are distracting him should stop what they are doing. The civil societies will hold him accountable and ask him to explain the resources that are available to him in the event that he fails or derails. He has just passed his budget, which is something that other governors are doing at the moment.
In recent times, he has just distributed a Christmas bonus of N100,000 to the employees. Therefore, we urge him to pursue those likely programs, such as the payment of demurrage to teachers, which the former administration refused to pay for eight years, the opening of the company that had been closed by the previous government, and the revitalization of industries. Within a short period of time, we are going to question him if he continues to attend meetings that are not important and if he continues to ignore the distractions that he is experiencing. We are not going to be engaged in such little matters, and individuals who feel wronged ought to go to court and seek restitution.
In a similar vein, Omenazu Jackson, a political analyst and the Chancellor of the International Society for Social Justice and Human Rights, stated that conflict resolution through negotiation was essential, but that it must be carried out in accordance with the law.
tranquility is something that is absolutely necessary in the state of Rivers, but it should not be the kind of tranquility that is found in graveyards. Despite the fact that the presidential intervention is beneficial, it is losing its authority. The law required that one to go to court and seek the consent of the court in order to withdraw the matter when the court permits it. This was the case prior to the president giving such directions and mediation. Someone will return to say, “Let us resolve this matter, and then let us go and withdraw it finally if we have reached an agreement.” The President of the United States is able to sit in the comfort of his office and issue directives that are in direct opposition to the Constitution. The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria cannot be carried out by the President of the country.
What is the rationale behind the directive that the 27 MPs who had willingly left the party that had supported them into the election to another party should return to their previous position? The language of Section 109 is quite clear and unequivocal. Within the party, there is no crisis at all. As of today, they have not been able to achieve the position of parliamentarians in the House of Assembly of Rivers State, which is the position that the law requires them to hold. The law requires them to return and preside over which house, according to which law. A court order has been issued that declares their seats empty, and the order has not been reviewed by an appellate court. With the exception of the Attorney General, who ought to have provided him with better advice, the President ought to be aware of this.
The style of politics that is characterized by the emperor should be stopped, democracy requires negotiation and understanding, and individuals should not be bullied in order to appreciate one another. The political class in Nigeria has banded together to employ hunger as a lethal weapon against the people of Nigeria; otherwise, some of them would not be deserving of the position of chairman of a family meeting, he continued.
In the meantime, the nine commissioners-nominees who resigned at the height of the crisis have been sworn in. This is a move that many people consider to be one of the steps that can alleviate the political pressure that is being exerted in the state government. Despite this, many people are of the opinion that only time will tell whether or not this conduct constitutes a wrong or right action.
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