As the peace agreement between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike and Rivers State Governor, Sim Fubara, which was brokered by President Bola Tinubu continues to trigger reactions, a group under the aegis of the Opobo Elder Statesmen4Sim has rejected the accord in its entirety for lacking legal basis.
The group expressed their position yesterday in a communique at the end of an emergency meeting held in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
They explained that President Tinubu, within the constitutional framework, lacked the authority to meddle in the internal affairs of a state.
In the communiqué jointly signed by the Chairman, Board of Patrons of the group, Alabo Reuben Saturday-Jaja and Chairman of the group, Alabo Adonye Cockeye-Brown, as well as members of the executive council, the elders emphasised that Tinubu’s primary role is to oversee federal appointees and not to dictate terms to a governor.
On the constitutional limitations, the elders insisted that the president’s agreement cannot supersede court rulings, particularly, those relating to legal proceedings such as impeachment or legislative matters.
They challenged the directive to withdraw court cases, highlighting the constitutional provision that mandates vacant seats for legislators who decamped without adhering to party division or merger protocols.
The Opobo elders insisted that only members of the Edison Ehie-led House of Assembly should be acknowledged as authentic representatives.
The group faulted the positions of decamped legislators led by Hon. Martin Amaewhule.
The group contested the necessity of reappointing commissioners who resigned and stressed the importance of local government autonomy, asserting that interference from higher authorities infringes upon elected officials’ rights to administer local affairs.
In a resolution, the elders said they unequivocally rejected the purported agreement, vowing to fervently challenge any attempts to implement its contents within Rivers State.
They, however, called on “Mr. President to retract this purported agreement, as its execution risks plunging the state into a constitutional crisis.
“Should this request go unheeded, we are prepared to contest its constitutionality in a court of law as a necessary measure,” the elders added.
