Arewa Youths for Peaceful Coexistence has called on Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara to respect the Supreme Court judgment which declared the Rivers State local government election conducted by the governor as null and void due to non-compliance with the electoral laws.
The Arewa youths in a statement signed by Bature Haruna, the national president and Hon. Mark Okpanachi Ogah, the FCT chapter coordinator, noted that the apex court had affirmed the legitimacy of the 27 members of the House of Assembly led by Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule, and reserved its ruling on the defection case of the 27 lawmakers, a matter that remained critical in the ongoing legal battle for legitimacy in the state.
“With these rulings, it is evident that all legislative activities carried out by the illegal four-man House of Assembly—laws passed, budgets approved, and appointments confirmed—are now invalid,” the group said.
The group therefore urged Governor Fubara to immediately respect the Supreme Court’s ruling and restore democratic governance in Rivers State. It added that any attempt to undermine this judgment would amount to a blatant disregard for the Constitution and the principles of democracy.
“As the Chief Executive of Rivers State, he must demonstrate leadership by upholding the rule of law and ensuring that governance is conducted in line with constitutional provisions.
“No democracy can survive on illegality. The deliberate sidelining of the Rivers State House of Assembly for over a year and a half has been an assault on democratic governance. The people of Rivers State have suffered under an unconstitutional arrangement that disregarded the legislative arm of government.
“Now that the Supreme Court has ruled, we expect immediate steps to be taken to reinstate legitimate legislative authority in the state. We warn against any further acts of executive lawlessness or attempts to suppress the voices of duly elected representatives,” the group stated.
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