The Civil Society Council of Nigeria has called on all the political actors in Rivers State to seek a peaceful resolution to the political crisis in the state.
The organisation, which is the umbrella body of all civil society organisations in Nigeria, warned that recent comments with regards to the Supreme Court judgment was capable of plunging the state into crisis.
Executive Director NCSCN, Blessings Akinlosotu disclosed this during a press conference in Abuja.
He said: “The bitter truth is that recent development in Rivers is capable of plunging the State into full blown crisis that may result to huge loss of lives and property, ending in a State of emergency being declared, which would be highly unproductive and would set the State decades back in development, while equally negatively impacting on the economic growth of the nation.
“NCSCN is totally against any utterance or act that could undermine the Rule of Law, Peace, Stability, and Democratic Integrity of Rivers State. Knowing fully well that statements that challenge the judicial system, incite violence, sow division, or undermine law enforcement, amount to treasonable felony.
“The Civil Society Council out-rightly condemns the war-posture of the Ijaw Youth Congress, calling on them to tow legal options and lawful means of driving home their dissatisfaction with the Supreme Court Judgement.”
He appealed to Governor Siminalayi Fubara to represent the state Budget to the Supreme Court recognised House of Assembly.
He said: “We call on Governor Fubara not to be pre-emptive of any plot of impeachment, but to rather pursue democratic tenets by re-presenting the State Budget to the legally recognized House of Assembly in fulfillment of the Supreme Court decision, while seeking reconciliation of both factions of the House. He is the Governor and all factions of the House of Assembly are his people and subject to his leadership.”
He added: “We equally call upon all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to extend their cooperation with the Executive branch under Governor Fubara without any hidden agenda. By working together harmoniously, we believe that the Government of Rivers State can address the pressing issues facing the State and serve the best interests of the Rivers people and Nigeria in general. We repeat, it is never too late for peace, and no extent of crisis is beyond reconciliation.
“We urge the the 27-man House of Assembly to reconcile with the 4-man faction, and for all to strictly abide by constitutional provisions in all their conducts and avoiding unwarranted, hasty and unsubstantiated impeachment adventure, rather let the House set aside all grievances of the past and work harmoniously.
“We use this medium to humbly and passionately appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to once again wade into the Rivers crisis. We are aware of the past frustrated attempts made by him. However, as a large hearted father and pillar of Democracy of Modern Nigeria, we enjoin Mr President never to grow weary is seeking peace, unity and progress of any State or Constituency under his Administration and oversight. Rivers cannot be allowed to plunge into anarchy as the consequences would be too expensive for the entire nation.
“Finally, we call on all the people of Rivers State to explore option of Peace and Unity, standing firmly on the Rule of Law, and respecting every judgment made by all courts of competent jurisdiction, especially the most recent one by the Supreme Court of Justice over Rivers crisis. We sincerely sympathize with the State in this current travail and surely believe this would soon pass away, as every problem in life has an expiry date.”
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