The ongoing political crisis in Rivers State has taken a positive turn as Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, reached a truce on Monday night after a crucial meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Aso Villa in Abuja.
Reports indicate that President Tinubu played a crucial role in mediating between the key players in the crisis, securing commitments from all sides involved. A set of eight resolutions was reached during the parley, and it was signed by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Nyesom Wike, and other prominent figures.
The resolutions include a mutual agreement to withdraw all court cases instituted by the warring parties immediately. Additionally, all impeachment proceedings initiated against Governor Fubara by the Rivers State House of Assembly are to be dropped.
The leadership of the Rivers State House of Assembly is to be recognized, with Martin Amaewhule acknowledged as the legitimate leader. Amaewhule and his 26 allies, who decamped from the PDP to the APC, will be duly recognized.
Further resolutions encompass the reinstatement of remunerations and benefits for all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and their staff. The Executive arm of the government will not interfere with the funding of the legislative body. The House of Assembly will have the freedom to choose its venue for conducting legislative business without hindrance from the Executive.
Governor Fubara is expected to re-present the state budget to a properly constituted Rivers State House of Assembly. Furthermore, the names of commissioners who resigned due to the political crisis will be resubmitted to the House of Assembly for approval.
The resolution also asserts that there should not be a caretaker committee for local governments in Rivers State, and the dissolution of the Local Government administration is deemed null and void.
President Tinubu’s intervention, which involved key stakeholders from Rivers State, including Peter Odili and traditional rulers, is anticipated to ease the political tension that has threatened to escalate into a full-blown crisis. While the resolution may offer respite to Governor Fubara, the complex issue of the constitutional crisis arising from the defection of lawmakers remains unresolved. The constitution dictates that lawmakers who defect lose their positions, raising questions about the fate of the 27 lawmakers who switched allegiance from the PDP to the APC.
