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From Tony John, Port Harcourt
The contentious agreement brokered by President Bola Tinubu between the warring parties in Rivers State has continued to trigger opposition from multiple fronts, with the Opobo Elder Statesmen4Sim rejecting the purported accord.
Their denouncement stems from what they maintain is lack of legal grounds in the agreement, and the heated debate over its legitimacy.
Rising from an emergency meeting in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital on Friday, the group issued a communiqué, voicing compelling reasons for their t rejection of the purported agreement.
The Opobo elders’ main contention is that President Tinubu lacked the constitutional authority to meddle in the internal affairs of the state.
In the communiqué that was jointly signed by the Chairman, BoP of the group, Alabo Reuben Mietamuno Saturday-Jaja, Soide Jaja II, and Chairman, Alabo Adonye E. Cockeye Brown, as well as members of the Executive Council, the elders emphasised that President Tinubu’s role primarily ought to focus on overseeing federal appointees, and should not extend to dictating terms to a state governor.
Pointing to constitutional limitations, the elders insisted that the president’s agreement could not supersede court rulings, particularly those relating to legal proceedings such as impeachment or legislative matters.
They also challenged the directive to withdraw court cases, highlighting the constitutional provision that mandates vacant seats for legislators who decamped without adhering to party rules or merger protocols.
reover, the Opobo elders insisted that only members of the Edison Ehie-led House of Assembly should be acknowledged as authentic representatives, delegitimising the positions of the decamped legislators led by Martin Amaewhule.
The Opobo Elder Statesmen4Sim contested the necessity of seeking approval from the FCT minister, Chief (Barr) Nyesom Wike, for reappointing commissioners and stressed the importance of local government autonomy, asserting that interference from higher authorities infringes upon elected officials’ rights to administer local affairs.
In their conclusion, the elders said they unequivocally rejected the purported agreement, vowing to challenge any attempt to implement its contents in Rivers State.
They added that their stance underscores a firm commitment to upholding constitutional provisions, and safeguarding the autonomy of the state government from external interference.
The elder declared: “We call on Mr. President to retract this purported agreement, as its execution risks plunging the state into a constitutional crisis.
“Should this request go unheeded, we are prepared to contest its constitutionality in a court of law as a necessary measure.”
