President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday hosted stakeholders from the Niger Delta region, specifically the Pan-Niger Delta Forum PANDEF, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
During the meeting, he urged them to prevail upon Governor Sim Fubara to implement the recent Supreme Court rulings reinstating the State Assembly lawmakers, along with other judicial decisions.
The meeting was attended by Senator Seriake Dickson; Professor Mike Ozekhome; former Cross River State Governor, Mr Liyel Imoke; former Rivers Deputy Governor, Tele Ikuru; former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC, Timi Alaibe; the Jaja of Opobo, Professor Dandeson Jaja; Senator Ita Enang; Senator Bassey Henshaw; Mrs Ibim Semenitari, former acting Managing Director of NDDC; Uche Secondus; Senator Andrew Uchendu; National Coordinator of Host Communities of Nigeria, HOSTCOM, Okareme Maikpobi; Niger Delta activist, Ms Ankio Briggs; and PANDEF spokesman, Chief Obiwevbi Ominimini, among others.
Tinubu reaffirmed his commitment to peace and adherence to the rule of law.
He stated, “Please go back home and help implement the court rulings within the shortest possible time. I am putting the ball in your court. Help! Privately and openly intervene and counsel the governor. Pursue the path of peace and stability.”
Addressing the political leaders from the South-South, Tinubu emphasised that respect for the judiciary is crucial to upholding democracy and fostering harmony in the oil-rich state. He urged the delegation to be broad-minded, selfless, and focused on the larger goal of revitalising the region politically and economically.
The President insisted that judicial interpretations of the Constitution must be respected.
In his call for peace, Tinubu acknowledged the Niger Delta as the “goose that lays the golden egg”, which was a key reason for his earlier intervention when the crisis broke out.
The crisis in Rivers State stems from a power struggle between the incumbent governor, Sim Fubara, and his estranged political godfather, now Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike.
A recent court ruling reinstated the majority of the State Assembly lawmakers, who, in turn, directed Governor Fubara to submit the 2025 budget within 48 hours.
Tinubu said, “I am here by the grace of God, appreciating your support, prayers, and concern. I cannot complain. I campaigned for this position and begged for the job. I must do it with all my heart, whatever it takes. I will make sure we achieve our promises and goals.
“Nigeria is a great country. To some cabinet members here, from outside looking in and inside looking out, we have been doing our best to give Nigeria a re-bounce, a reset, and a recalibration of the economic fortune.
“Yes, the Niger Delta is the goose that lays the golden egg. We must care for the goose; otherwise, we lose the golden egg. I got your signal and your concern, particularly regarding Rivers State. I have been on the issue for quite some time. I foresaw the crisis festering for too long before I intervened. We reached an agreement, a written agreement, and both parties signed.”
