…allege Wike, Fubara shun invitation to talk peace
Elders and leaders of Rivers State have cried out over the lingering political crisis within People’s Democratic Party (PDP) family in the State, saying they do not want bloodshed as ploy to impeach the sitting governor, Sim Fubara thickens.
Spokesman of the elders, Sunday Nwankwo, told newsmen at a press briefing held on Monday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State Capital that both Nyesom Wike (FCT Minister) and Goverrnor Sim Fubara had failed to attend peace roundtable set up for them.
Instead, they alleged that the lawmakers loyal to Wike had secured a Court order from the FCT, Abuja stopping any attempts to initiate their recall.
Read also: Wike loyalist confirms Fubara signed Rivers agreement in Abuja
A Port Harcourt High Court had ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to initiate recall of the embattled 27 lawmakers for defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) without any evidence of a division in the party (PDP).
The FCT Court order was issued Justice D.U. Okorowo to INEC, the PDP, Rivers State House of Assembly, Inspector General of Police and the Department of State Services (DSS).
The order rather prohibited the defendants from denying the defectors of their legal rights and asked them to seat and perform legislative functions without any disturbance.
The FCT order seems to counter orders of a Port Harcourt High Court of coordinate jurisdiction which has declared that the defected lawmakers had lost their rights in the Assembly and had ordered INEC to initiate replacement through a recall.
But, Nwankwo told Journalists that the Elders Forum on hearing the news of the Court Order emanating from a High Court in Abuja, prevailed on youths in the State to stay action.
On his part, another elder, Anabs Sara-Igbe, also reiterated the need for peace in the State, especially among the various political actors.
The elders regretted that the two camps had refused to come for peace talk, just like what happened between Nyesom Wike and Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.
The elders denied knowledge of moves to push the lawmakers out of the Assembly quarters in Port Harcourt where they now seat.
The elders led by onetime governor of the state, Rufus Ada-George, expressed shock that rumours were already making the rounds that a Court order had already been secured at the weekend to stop the Rivers State Government.
They said unfortunately, a Court order had surfaced, adding that such rumours or actions were capable of setting the State on fire.
They said the Forum reviewed the embarrassing and dangerous ongoing happenings in Rivers State and by extension Nigeria.
Read also: Rivers crisis: PDP rejects Tinubu intervention, insists defectors’ seats vacant
The elders said, “After an extensive deliberation and consideration of the issues, the Forum resolved as follows; that The Forum regretted that neither Governor Siminialayi Fubara nor Chief (Barrister) Nyesom Wike responded to our letters seeking for audience with each of them.
“The attempt to impeach the Governor of Rivers State barely about six months in Office without explaining to the good people of the State, the reasons and infractions of law is unacceptable; the Forum condemned every form of violence and lawlessness in Rivers State and therefore demand proper investigation of the crisis and those responsible be brought to Justice.”
