President Bola Tinubu has urged Niger Delta leaders to counsel Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers, on the need to comply with court rulings on the crisis in the state.
Tinubu spoke on Tuesday during a meeting with representatives of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) at the presidential villa in Abuja.
Obong Victor Attah, former governor of Akwa Ibom, and Alfred Papapreye Diete-Spiff, Amanyanabo of Twon-Brass Kingdom; were among the PANDEF leaders who attended the meeting.
Rivers state has been enmeshed in political crisis following the conflict between Fubara and Wike, the minister of the federal capital territory (FCT).
The rift has led to a polarisation of the Rivers state legislature.
Tinubu recalled his earlier intervention in the crisis with an agreement signed with the warring parties.
“Yes, Niger Delta is the goose that lays the golden egg. We must care for the goose; otherwise, we lose the golden egg,” Tinubu was quoted in a statement by Bayo Onanuga, special adviser on information and strategy to the president.
“I got your signal and your concern, particularly on 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, written agreement, and both parties signed.
“This is a nation governed by the rule of law. I should not be here as president without rule of law. I have total confidence in our judiciary.
“We have expectations. Human beings can make errors. But once the court has spoken, that is it.
“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.
“Go back home and take charge of peace. If you need me, let me know. I have given the situation enough time and enough consideration.
“We cannot fall back, and we will not. The people of Rivers state will not suffer because of democracy. We worked together on it. They will not suffer. They must be protected.”
On February 28, the supreme court affirmed the judgment of a federal high court that barred the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the accountant-general of the federation from releasing statutory monthly allocations to Rivers state.
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The apex court ordered the Martin Amaewhule-led faction of the Rivers house of assembly and other elected members of the house to resume sitting.
The supreme court also nullified the local government election held in Rivers state on October 5, 2024.
The Rivers governor has promised to implement the judgments of the apex court.
