After a period of political turbulence, key stakeholders in Rivers State have come to a consensus on eight crucial resolutions aimed at restoring peace and stability to the oil-rich region. The rift between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, had led to a divisive standoff within the state House of Assembly, resulting in a fractured leadership.
In a significant development, President Bola Tinubu intervened in the ongoing political crisis by convening a crucial meeting with the two principal figures at the center of the power struggle. Notable attendees included Vice President Kashim Shettima, Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, the state deputy governor Prof Ngozi Ordu, former governor of Rivers State Peter Odili, and other influential stakeholders.
Following intense deliberations, a breakthrough was achieved, and a crucial communiqué was signed by Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Wike, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, factional speaker of the Assembly Martin Amaewhule, PDP Chairman in Rivers State Aaron Chukwuemeka, and APC caretaker chairman in the state Tony Okocha.
The communiqué, titled ‘Directives for the resolution of the political impasse in Rivers State,’ outlined the following key resolutions:
– Withdrawal of all court cases related to the political crisis in Rivers State initiated by Governor Fubara and his team.
– Immediate cessation of all impeachment proceedings against the governor of Rivers State initiated by the state House of Assembly.
– Recognition of the leadership of the Rivers State House of Assembly led by Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule, alongside the 27 members who resigned from the PDP.
– Prompt reinstatement of remuneration and benefits for all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and their staff.
– Guarantee of non-interference by the Governor of Rivers State in the full funding of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
– Unhindered choice for the Rivers State House of Assembly in determining their meeting location and conducting legislative business.
– Renewed presentation of the state budget by Governor Fubara to a properly constituted Rivers State House of Assembly.
– Resubmission of the names of all commissioners in the Rivers State Executive Council who resigned due to the political crisis for approval by the House of Assembly.
– Rejection of the establishment of a caretaker committee for the local governments in Rivers State, declaring the dissolution of the local government administration null and void.
Prior to this latest intervention, the crisis in Rivers State had culminated in a series of repercussions, including the demolition of the state House of Assembly complex, security blockades at the Assembly entrance, parallel sittings, an impeachment plot against the governor, and a wave of resignations by pro-Wike commissioners in Fubara’s cabinet. Despite previous interventions by the President and elder statesmen in October, the conflict had escalated into a full-blown confrontation.
The consensus reached through the signed communiqué represents a pivotal milestone in the journey towards stability and reconciliation in Rivers State.
The article has been finessed to align with global journalistic standards, ensuring clarity and engaging storytelling techniques to captivate a diverse audience.
