Rivers Crisis: Group Exonerates Tinubu, Praises His Role As Peacemaker

A group, the BAT Vanguard, has exonerated President Bola Tinubu from blame in the alleged leadership crisis rocking Rivers State.

The group, in a press statement on Thursday, said Tinubu deserves commendations for convening a meeting to ensure peace and tranquillity in Rivers State, which is part of his constituency as President of Nigeria.

The statement, signed by the convener, Olusola Olofin, said Tinubu merely facilitated a settlement between, or among, the disputants for them to resolve their differences amicably among themselves to ensure good governance for the good people of the state.

The group described President Tinubu as a democrat to the core and the chief upholder of constitutionality in this country and his democratic credentials and commitment to democratic values are beyond question.

“Whatever resolutions reached by the parties were reached by them on their own and were not howsoever imposed by the President.

“We wish to state categorically that the President Tinubu, did not in any way impose any settlement between or among the disputants and parties in the Rivers state crisis contrary to what is being alleged or insinuated in some quarters.

“What President Tinubu did was to call for peace and tranquillity in Rivers State which is part and parcel of his constituency as President of Nigeria.

“Whatever resolutions were reached by the parties were reached by them on their own and were not howsoever imposed by the President. President Tinubu is a democrat to the core and the chief upholder of constitutionality in this country and his democratic credentials and commitment to democratic values are beyond question.”

It further urged all those involved in the crisis to give peace a chance and place the interest of the good people of Rivers State uppermost in all their dealings, deliberations and considerations.

“We state boldly and categorically that President Tinubu is not on the side of any of the gladiators but strictly and squarely on the side of the common people of Rivers state in this matter, whose welfare, alongside that of their fellow Nigerians is always his primary and constant priority.”