From Tony John, Port Harcourt
A socio-cultural organisation known as Voice of Ibani People (VIP), has called on the international community to prevail on President Bola Tinubu, to as a matter of urgency, reverse the unlawful suspension of the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, who is from Ibani, to avert possible breakdown of law and order.
President-General of the group, Sofiri Peterside, while addressing journalists in Port Harcourt, insisted that due process was not followed in the declaration of the state of emergency.
Peterside also maintained that the suspension of Governor Fubara by the president was unconstitutional and done in bad faith, with a motive to subject the Rivers people to forceful rule.
He expressed concern that this development might affect the country’s economy, adding that no reasonable foreign or local investor would want to invest in a country perceived to be lawless.
“We are disappointed in this nation. We are disappointed with our leadership. We are disappointed with the executive arm of government. We are disappointed with the judiciary; we are also disappointed with the legislature because what we have before us are pretenders as leaders.
“But, to tell you the truth, what happened in Rivers State, where our son who is well groomed, nurtured and mannered by the way he has carried himself, handled matters has shown humane nature of governance and good attributes of human relationship.
“As his brothers, associates and friends, we have gathered here to say that enough is enough. We are disappointed by the leadership of Mr. President. It is quite astonishing that despite all the hues and cries… Well, we are saying good luck to whoever is keeping quiet who is supposed to do something about this.
“It is not about Fubara, it is about the soul, the conscience of our democracy. We are all victims. Our democracy is a victim, posterity is a victim. The next political dispensation will also bear the precedence set by taking this decision.”
Peterside further said the people of Ibani would drag the Federal Government to both local and international court if President Tinubu fails to reverse the suspension of Governor Fubara.
He also said they would push for a referendum for the creation of an Ijaw nation due to the ill-treatment meted out to Governor Fibre.