Nyesome Wike, Governor Fubara and President Bola Tinubu.
Leaders and elders in Rivers State have said no to the decisions made by President Bola Tinubu in the state’s political trouble.
Earlier, Tinubu met with Wike and Fubara at the Presidential Villa to fix the political problems in Rivers State.
After the three-hour meeting, they reached an agreement to settle the political crisis in the state.
But the elders in Rivers State disagreed with the instructions given to Governor Siminialayi Fubara by President Tinubu. They said those directives break the rules of the constitution.
After a quick meeting on Tuesday, the elders announced that they do not accept Tinubu’s instructions, as they are against the law.
“A review of Mr. President’s directives for the resolution of the political impasse in Rivers State showed that the directives contravene the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which Mr. President swore to uphold at all times,” the Elders said in a communique read by former Rivers State Governor, Chief Rufus Ada George.
“The directives unilaterally suspended the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by virtue of an attempt to reverse a court order recognizing Rt. Honourable Edison Ehie as the speaker and directing that the remainder of members of the House of Assembly constituted the quorum for legislative business.
“That the directive also contravenes the hallowed doctrine and practice of separation of powers, particularly as it affects the responsibility of the judiciary. Can Mr President or the executive arm of government overrule the decisions of the court of competent jurisdiction?
“This portends executive rascality which undermines our constitutional democracy, rule of law and good governance.
“The directives to the parties were one-sided in favour of Chief Barr. Nyesom Wike.
“The directive to re-present the budget passed and signed into law is a clear attempt to ridicule and denigrate the office of the Governor and the good people of Rivers State, including the Judiciary.
“Therefore, any resolution or directive that intends to undermine the principle of separation of powers and the rule of law is unacceptable, null and void and will be resisted, using all constitutional means at our disposal.“