President Bola Tinubu urges Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara to fully implement the Supreme Court ruling, stressing the importance of the rule of law. Amid ongoing political tensions, Tinubu calls for peace, while Fubara pledges compliance. PANDEF warns of national consequences if the crisis in Rivers State persists.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara to implement the Supreme Court's ruling without hesitation, emphasizing the importance of upholding the rule of law for national stability.
Speaking at a meeting with the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) at Aso Villa, Tinubu underscored that compliance with judicial decisions is essential for governance. He reminded attendees that his presidency itself is a product of the legal process and expressed full confidence in the judiciary.
The Supreme Court's verdict on March 7 had ordered the removal of local government chairmen whose elections were deemed invalid. Despite this, the political crisis in Rivers State has persisted, with Fubara's camp arguing that agreements brokered earlier were unfavorable to them.
Tinubu reaffirmed that he had personally intervened and advised the governor to prioritize peace and stability. “We reached a written agreement, and both parties signed. Some leaders felt the governor shouldn’t have agreed to it, but the law must be followed,” he said.
PANDEF leaders, led by King Alfred Diete-Spiff and former Akwa Ibom Governor Victor Attah, requested further federal intervention in resolving the ongoing political tension in Rivers State. They warned that continued instability in the region could have broader national consequences.
Governor Fubara, speaking separately at an event in Port Harcourt, assured that his administration would comply fully with the Supreme Court ruling. However, he lamented the financial and developmental toll the political crisis had taken on the state.
Meanwhile, Rivers State House of Assembly Speaker Martins Amaewhule insisted that legislative processes had been conducted within constitutional limits and urged for an end to ethnic divisions in the crisis.
The political deadlock in Rivers State remains a key issue, with Tinubu’s latest directive seen as a firm push toward resolution. However, whether all factions will comply without further disputes remains to be seen.
