Coalition Seeks Tinubu’s Intervention On Rivers Crisis

A group, Rivers Coalition for Good Governance (RCGG), has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State occasioned by a face-off between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Chief Nyesom Wike.

RCGG, in a statement issued in Port Harcourt by its conveners, Mr Soala Jumbo and Mr Inyefi Wobo, said it was deeply concerned over the political crisis in the state.

The group called on Tinubu to call for a new peace accord anchored on the Constitution that would guarantee stability and allow the state governor to focus on governance without distractions.

It stated that the crisis plunged into turmoil following the defection of 27 members of the State House of Assembly from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The statement said the clear provisions of the Nigerian Constitution stipulates that such defections result in the loss of the seats of the lawmakers as members of the House of Assembly.

RCGG stated that the defected lawmakers had continued to challenge the authority of the duly elected governor of the state.

The group said it recognises and respects the historical significance of Wike as the immediate past governor and now minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

“We appreciated the President for the earlier Presidential accord which was done as an emergency measure but now need a constitutional peace accord that will bring peace and allow the governor to deliver good governance to the people,” the group said.

The group advised that the new peace accord should at least give way for the declaration of the seats of the defecting members as vacant and the holding of elections to fill those seats.

The coalition argued that the political interest of the FCT minister could be protected by other forms of guarantees or compromises that do not affect governance in the state.