26th 2024 PRESS BRIEFING
Gentlemen of the press
1. Following the worrisome political situation in Rivers State, where tensions and power tussles aggravated by the defection of lawmakers, issues of tenure elongation and other threats to the rule of law, constitutional governance, and stability in the state, we are constrained to urgently add our voice to many other voices already calling for caution and, condemning the continuous orchestration of crises by detractors of the State who are unrelenting in painting the State in bad light for their personal interest rather than that of the good and law abiding people of Rivers State.
2. Despite such malevolent machinations and unwarranted provocations, we acknowledge the determined, service-oriented, and peaceful disposition of His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, Executive Governor of Rivers State. We also commend his undeterred steering of the ship of the state to deliver quality leadership and development across the State.
3. It suffices to remind the 26 defected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to take precaution and stop heating up the polity, as they are no longer lawmakers representing the people in the eyes of the law as stipulated in section 109(1g) of the Nigerian Constitution. In fact whether wittingly or unwittingly, they have freely relinquished their positions since their defection to the All Progressive Congress without any crisis in PDP, the party that sponsored their elections. Our sincere advice to them is to re-present themselves under their new political party to seek the electorates’ mandate. They shouldn’t use their inconsiderate situation to rub off on the people by causing chaos and crisis. Instead they should bear the consequence of their actions and not drag the peace-loving people of Rivers State into their ill-conceived and ill-thought out actions.
4. Again, we condemn all laws purportedly made by the former lawmakers led by Martin Amaewhule including the local government tenure elongation which is not in tandem with the spirit and letters of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended. Allowing such illegality will destroy the tenets of democracy in our State and Nigeria by extension.
5. In fact, we appreciate the Judiciary for nullifying the above mentioned ill-conceived law and also applaud Governor Siminalayi Fubara for following the law in appointing Caretaker Committees to oversee the affairs of the local government areas pending the conduct of elections in the State. We deeply appreciate his forthrightness, resilience, patience, and peaceful disposition in governing Rivers State, which has helped in keeping the state peaceful and the people in harmony. We urge the outgone chairmen to be law-abiding and to stop the unnecessary grandstanding as their position smacks ignorance and disobedience that could spark off crisis.
6. We need to recall the fact that, when under Governor Romitimi Amechi, the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission conducted elections for Chairmen and Councilors in Rivers State who were also sworn-in in May 2015, Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike (who succeeded him) who assumed office on the 29th May 2015 did not only replace these duly elected Chairmen and Councilors with caretaker committees that ran for 9 consecutive months, but also refused the duly elected and sworn-in Chairmen, Councilors and the council’s their monthly allocations from the months of May to July 2015. In the face of this confrontation and affront to democracy, the State was not on fire. It is very appalling that when Gov. Similayi who is a true lover and respecter of the rule of law appointed caretaker committees to oversee the affairs of the councils upon the expiration of the tenure of all council elected officers, the real enemies of Rivers State are working tirelessly to create chaos of in-imaginable magnitude. It is also disheartening to note that during the recent rallies, while the Nigerian Police was seen to be violently fighting various pro Fubara support groups with firearms and teargas, the same Nigerian Police was seen supporting and escorting those who are anti-Governor Fubara’s transition policies. Its also believed that the anti-Fubara groups who have sworn Publicly and severally to keep the state ungovernable are all loyalists and allies of the former Governor and current Minister of FCT, Mr Nyesom Wike,
7. We plead with Rivers people not to be provoked or be distracted but join hands with the government of Gov Siminalayi Fubara on his plans and 11-point agenda for Rivers State capturing:- To develop and implement a 10-year Rivers State Reindustrialization Master plan, Improve the ease of doing business in Rivers State, Implement a business-friendly fiscal regime and incentives for the private sector, Liberalize the processes for the acquisition and registration of land titles, Encourage the private sector to build industrial and business parks in each of the senatorial districts, Collaborate with the Federal Government to reactivate the existing seaports and railway lines in Rivers State, Encourage and support Rivers State indigenous entrepreneurs, Facilitate the establishment of economic hubs in mechanized agriculture, manufacturing, the digital economy, and oil and gas, Encourage private investors to take over and revive state companies, Establish the Rivers State Sovereign Wealth Fund, Establish and strengthen Rivers State Investment Company to coordinate the State’s industrialization drive; all aimed at industrazing the state, reviving agriculture, restoring efficient healthcare services, and providing quality education across the State.
8. We firmly believe that the organic and massive support for the government of Sir Siminalayi Fubara will continue to gain ground both within and outside the State, considering the delibrate efforts of the state Gov by not giving in to a provocative approach leading to the relative peace and security in the state for investors to leverage on and bring in their investment. The governor is giving more responsibility to the youths through his strategic appointments. The impact of the N4 billion MSMEs credit loan is becoming manifest across the state, and so are the many more human welfare investments by the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara. The total investment in the health sector and education are unprecedented as well as the massive road infrastructure such as the 50.15 kilometers Port Harcourt Dual Carriage Ring Road, the 33.5 kilometers Elele-Umudioga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Ikiri-Omoku road and 12 kilometers Trans Kalabari road projects are quite significant.
9. Holistically, we call on the Federal Government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR not to remain silent over the issues of Rivers State, we also appeal to high profiled leaders within the Niger Delta region to join hands for continuous dialogue and negotiations between the executive governor and the minister, also the executive and legislative arms to resolve outstanding issues and uphold the constitution.
10. We call on all key actors and citizens to seize fire and uphold the rule of law to prevent any further escalation and promote peace, respect the constitutional roles and powers of each arm of government, prioritize the interests of the people and the development of Riverss State, embrace dialogue, compromise, and peaceful resolution of conflicts, avoid actions that could lead to violence, instability, and destruction of property, support and encourage leaders who prioritize the well-being and prosperity of the state and its citizens.
11. We once more urge Mr President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, to take a more serious look at the current political situation in Rivers State and not to allow himself to be used or play into the hands of those political desperado whose intentions have always been self-seeking
Thank you.
Hon. Ivunda Jude
President, RDMGG.
David Nubaridoo
Secretary, RDMGG
Andrew Sekibo
Publicity Secretary
