Bode George, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to reinstate Siminalayi Fubara, the suspended governor of Rivers, in the spirit of the June 12 celebrations.
In an open letter addressed to Tinubu, George said since the president recently forgave Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, the same gesture should be extended to Fubara.
George, a former PDP deputy national chairman (south-west), said the president should reinstate Fubara to honour the memory of the June 12 struggles.
“If Tinubu could forgive Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, then he should extend the same gesture to Fubara,” he was quoted as saying by NAN.
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“On June 12, we will be celebrating Democracy Day. This is a reminder of the true meaning of democracy — the will of the people.
“Since Tinubu has forgiven Sanwo-Olu, then it makes a lot of sense, spiritually, to also forgive Fubara and let him return to office. I am talking as an elder.
“He (Tinubu) later joined NADECO to fight for democracy. Some of those who fought alongside him for democracy have died. It is not of his making that he is alive today.
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“So, he should thank God, honour the memory of those who fought alongside him for democracy and return Fubara to office immediately.
“I also appeal to him, in the spirit of my maternal grand uncle who founded the first political party in Nigeria in 1922, Herbert Macaulay, to please reinstate Fubara.
“Tinubu should listen to and honour this appeal in memory of all those who died in the journey to our democracy.”
On June 8, during a meeting with the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) and other Lagos stakeholders, Tinubu said he had forgiven Sanwo-Olu.
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June 12 has been declared as a day to commemorate democracy in Nigeria to posthumously honour MKO Abiola, presumed winner of the June 12, 1993, presidential election.
BACKGROUND
On March 18, Tinubu declared emergency rule in the oil-rich Rivers over the political crisis and instability in the state.
He also suspended Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all members of the Rivers assembly for an initial period of six months.
The president immediately appointed Ibok-Ete Ibas, a retired naval chief, as the state’s sole administrator.
