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Lauds Fubara for peaceful resolution of political crisis in Rivers
From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has said the federal and sub-national governments have the mutual responsibility of ensuring the country’s peace and stability.
Speaking during a meeting with the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) at his residence in Lagos on Tuesday, the president reiterated his condemnation of the latest killings in Plateau State.
Addressing the governors, the president issued a stern directive to security agencies to halt the carnage in Plateau State and intensify the pursuit of those responsible for the recent tragic events in Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi Local Government Areas.
Condoling with the victims, Tinubu emphasised the sanctity of human life and called for a paradigm shift among those with contrary beliefs, cautioning them about the inevitable consequences of their actions. “Nigeria needs peace and stability to move forward. Nigeria belongs to all of us, and we have to take care of it.”
On the 2024 Budget proposals before the National Assembly, he informed the governors that he had a review meeting earlier in the day on certain elements in the Appropriation Bill with the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, and the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu.
He emphasised the need for joint responsibility and closer collaboration between the federal and sub-national governments to foster rapid infrastructural development in every part of the nation.
“I want us to discard federal, state, or rural road classifications. We must regard development as a joint responsibility.
“Let us prioritize our children. The school feeding programme must return quickly, beginning from the local government to the state and federal governments.
“We must be ready to protect our children and prepare them for the future,” the president stated.
President Tinubu commended Governor Siminalayi Fubara for his efforts to peacefully resolve the political challenges in the state.
President Tinubu had in a meeting with Fubara, former governor of the state, Peter Odili, and the immediate past governor, Nyesom Wike, and other stakeholders at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, in a resolution directed that all matters instituted in the courts by the governor and his team in respect of the political crisis be withdrawn immediately.
Also, all impeachment proceedings initiated against the governor by the state House of Assembly should be dropped immediately.
He had also directed that the leadership of the Rivers State House of Assembly as led by Martin Amaewhule be recognised alongside the 27 members who resigned from the PDP.
The president had also directed that the remunerations and benefits of all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and their staff must be reinstated immediately and the Governor of Rivers State shall henceforth not interfere with the full funding of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Given the inhabitable state of the Rivers State House of Assembly building, Tinubu had also directed that the lawmakers “shall choose where they want to sit and conduct their legislative business without interference and/or hindrance from the Executive arm of government.”
Also, Tinubu had said Fubara, who had earlier presented the 2024 Appropriation Bill of his state to four members of the Assembly “shall represent the state budget to a properly constituted Rivers State House of Assembly.”
Likewise, he directed that the names of all commissioners in the Rivers State Executive Council who resigned their appointments because of the political crisis in the state “should be resubmitted to the House of Assembly for approval” adding that “There should not be a caretaker committee for the local governments in Rivers State” declaring the dissolution of the Local Government administration as “null and void.”
Criticism had trailed the resolutions with form and Federal Commissioner for Information and South-South leader, Edwin Clark, has said that the directives issued to Fubara were not only appalling, but also unacceptable, particularly to the Ijaw ethnic nationality.
A member of the Rivers Elders’ Forum and former Commissioner for Works, David Briggs, had alleged that President Tinubu imposed the resolution concerning the crisis in the state on Fubara without his inputs and that he signed under duress.
But Fubar a had said no price was too big to ensure peace in the state.
The president commended him for his efforts to peacefully resolve the political challenges in the state.
“I thank you for your statesmanship. I listened to your broadcast and your emphasis on peace. It is only with peace that effective governance can thrive, and governance has commenced in earnest under my watch,” he said.
Vice President Kashim Shettima and Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila were among government officials who received members of the NGF.
Members of the NGF on the visit include Hope Uzodinma of Imo; Yahaya Bello of Kogi, Godwin Obaseki of Edo; Abba Yusuf of Kano; Hyacinth Alia of Benue; Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau, and Umar Dikko Radda of Katsina.
Others are Lucky Aiyedatiwa, acting governor of Ondo; Ahmed Usman Ododo, governor-elect of Kogi; Dapo Abiodun of Ogun; Ahmad Aliyu of Sokoto; Uba Sani of Kaduna; Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, Francis Nwifiuru of Ebonyi and Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers.
Chairman of the NGF and Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, expressed solidarity with the government and the people of Plateau State.
“May God be with the souls of the departed and bring peace to Plateau State. The Governor of Plateau State, we are with you; stay strong,” the NGF Chairman said.
He reaffirmed state governments’ support for the bold decisions and reforms initiated by the Tinubu’s administration.
“These are challenging times. It is not a walk in the park. Removing fuel subsidies had a great structural effect on the economy of the states. But we are confident that we will overcome these challenges and bounce back better,” he said.
Celebrates Sule at 64
Meanwhile, President Tinubu has congratulated Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule, as he marks his 64th birthday.
According to a a statement issued by Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, the President celebrated the accomplished engineer and businessman who superintended successful private enterprises like African Petroleum and Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc before investing his wealth of experience and expertise in the service of the good people of Nasarawa State.
He commended the Governor for his remarkable strides in Nasarawa, such as providing needed infrastructure, fostering peace and harmony among communities, and opening up the state for investments.
President Tinubu noted that the first oil drilling in the State was inaugurated under the leadership of Governor Sule, an attestation to his penchant for pioneering groundbreaking efforts across sectors.
The President wished the Governor good health and strength as he turns 64 and prays that the Almighty grant him more wisdom in his stewardship in Nasarawa State.
