- Says peace should be priority
From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
A former member of the Federal House of Representatives from Bayelsa State, Hon. Israel Sunny-Goli has called on the Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara to exercise restrain in his utterances and actions that could ignite unnecessary tension and unrest in the state.
According to Sunny-Goli, rather than fan the embers of unrest, Fubara should comply fully with the Supreme Court pronouncement, recognizing the Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule-led assembly and make peace and stability of Rivers State a topmost priority by adhering to the court’s directives and ensuring that the transition of council leadership is conducted smoothly and without incident.
Sunny-Goli, who is also a traditional ruler, the Kemmer V Amadabo of Kemmer-Ama in Brass Local Government of Bayelsa State, in a statement calling for compliance with the Supreme Court ruling and maintenance of peace in Rivers State, urged Fubara to avoid chaos in Rivers state.
“The recent ruling of the Supreme Court regarding the political imbroglio in Rivers State has brought an end to the protracted leadership tussle in the Rivers State House of Assembly and provided the much-needed clarity on the status of the local government administration.
“As a society practising constitutional democracy, we are governed by the rule of law. This makes every judgment and pronouncement from our revered judiciary binding on us, no matter our status or how unpalatable we find them, especially those from the apex court.
“It is on this premise that I call on Governor Siminalayi Fubara not to only fully comply with the Supreme Court pronouncement, recognizing the Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule-led assembly, but also refrain from any actions or statements that could potentially ignite a crisis in the state, ” he said.
Sunny- Goli who expressed sadness over recent remarks capable of instigating crisis in Rivers State aftermath the Supreme Court judgment, insisted that Fubara must subscribe to peace in the overall interest of the people.
“I urge the governor to make the peace and stability of Rivers State a topmost priority by adhering to the court’s directives and ensuring that the transition of council leadership is conducted smoothly and without incident,” he added.
Sunny-Goli also called on all stakeholders in Rivers State, including political leaders, community leaders, and citizens, to remain calm and support the peaceful implementation of the Supreme Court’s decision.
He called on parents in Rivers and other Niger Delta States not to allow their children to be hired as political thugs and deployed into any case of violence in Rivers State.
“I implore all parents in Rivers State to prevail on their children not to allow themselves to be recruited and used as cannon fodders in a needless and avoidable crisis.
“Those seeking to set the state on fire should be told to recruit members of their family and loved ones if they are convinced of its propriety.”