Protest in Rivers over President’s Initiative to Resolve Political Crisis   

*Protesters threaten to shut down businesses if peace agreement stands

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

Rivers State people have threatened to shut down all business activities in the state if President Bola Tinubu deoe not reverse the alleged imposed agreement on the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, over the political crisis in the state.

Thousands of people had on Friday occupied the major streets in Port Harcourt, on a solidarity walk in support of Governor Fubara.

Participants groups in the joint protest include, National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Rivers State Chapter, Greater Wakirike Movement, National Union of Rivers State Students (NURSS), Worldwide, National Association of Nigeria Students (NAN), ljaw Youth Council (IYC), Rivers Youth Federation (RYC), Ijaw Young Professionals Association and Andoni Youth Federation.

Others were Ogoni Youth Federation, Niger Delta Activist Forum, United Community Development Committee (UDCD), Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rivers State Chapter, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Rivers State Chapter, Muslim Community in Rivers State, Concerned Lawyers, Concerned Doctors and others.

Speaking during the peaceful walk which terminated at the Government House Port Harcourt, the IYC Chairman in the state, Tamunotonye Kpokpo condemned what he called  the purported signed agreement initiated by President Tinubu. He said the Ijaws will resist all the plans to undermine Governor Fubara.

The President General of Ogoni Youth Federation, Legborsi Yamabana said the agreement was not acceptable. He also said any attempt to return any of the outgone commissioners will be resisted.

In their position paper signed during a joint press conference ahead of the solidarity walk Friday, the coalition insisted that the eight points resolution by the president was a sham and national embarrassment to Nigeria, whilst it poses fundamental threats to the nation’s democracy, if it’s allowed.

The group said the purported resolutions clearly reveals an alleged perfected plan to enslave Rivers people and bring the state under tyrannical control of one man.

They maintained that Rivers state cannot become the estate of any one individual and therefore, urge all indigenes and residents to be ready for long drawn, non-violent protest rallies in the state.

The coalition said, “Siminalayi Fubara that Rivers State people massively voted him into office and therefore cannot allow him to bring the people into disrepute by signing such agreement that is akin to selling our collective hegemony to one individual, Bar. Nyesome Wike, who enjoys the support of the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, and the President himself, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“We herein inform the governor not to attempt under any guise of persuasive truce, imagine adherence to any part of that unconstitutional agreement as that is tantamount to compromising the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“To think that the meeting was convened at the instance of Mr. President, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, but do not have the signature of Mr. President, throws question as to the authenticity of the said resolutions. It is worthy of mention that the following persons did not also append their signatures; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), the Chief of Staff to Mr. President, the Attorney General of the Federation and the Chief Justice of the Federation.

“Rivers State people are aware that the FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike and the Chief of Staff to President Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, are working hand in hand to undermine the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, just to suit their inordinate and selfish political ambitions for 2027”.

According to the group, “a critical analysis of the purported resolutions reveals a barrage of illegalities and moreso, at no point was the interest of the good people of Rivers State mentioned or even accommodated. Rather, the ill- fated resolutions depicts the abusive show of power for obvious political gains of Mr. President and his FCT Minister.

“Indeed, by this purported resolutions, it is evidently clear that Mr. President hates and abhors the Niger Delta people and has aligned with his FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesome Wike, to undermine the entire Niger- Delta region.

“The mischievous essence of these resolutions can also be seen in the last point in the document, where the issue of Local Government Caretaker Committee was mentioned.

“It is amazing how Mr. President has allowed and supported a Caretaker Committee of his own party, the APC in Rivers State but directing the Executive Governor of Rivers State not to consider the use of Caretaker Committee at the Local Government Councils of the same State.

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