By LAURA EBELEAKPO
President Bola Tinubu’s intervention in Rivers state has attracted more opprobrium from people of the state, many of whom are now poised to show their disgust by occupying the state capital with mass protests beginning January 1.
Tinubu had presided a peace meeting at the Presidential Villa where an 8-point agreement, purported to be drafted by parties at the meeting, was allegedly signed by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
However, indications emerged that the agreement, which favoured the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike and state lawmakers loyal to him, was pre-drafted and foisted on Gov. Fubara.
This, symfoninews learnt, has prompted disgust and opposition from most Rivers people who say their state governor was roundly humiliated by the agreement.
For this reason, they have vowed to resist implementation of the agreement and had warned Gov. Fubara against implementation any of its aspects.
In the latest development, however, a coalition of youth groups and stakeholders has called on people of Rivers State and the entire Niger Delta region, to be prepared to occupy Rivers State in a series of non-violent protests, as a way to vehemently reject and oppose the purported resolutions reached at the meeting.
The groups at a press conference on Friday jointly signed a statement condemning the resolutions on the political impasse, saying that the purported resolutions clearly reveal a perfected plan to enslave Rivers people and bring the state under tyrannical control of one man.
Describing the 8-point resolution as an injustice which is not in the interest of Rivers people, the groups said they were left with no option than to strongly oppose the move and take back their state from forces determined to cause chaos in it.
The groups included the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Greater Wakirike Movement, National Union of Rivers State Students, Worldwide; National Association of Nigeria Students, South-South Zone B; the ljaw Youth Council, Eastern, Zone; Rivers Youth Federation, ljaw Young Professionals Association, Past NURSS Leaders Forum, and the Andoni Youth Federation.
Others were the Ogoni Youth Federation, Niger Delta Activist Forum, United Community Development Committee, Christian Association of Nigeria, Rivers State Chapter; Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Rivers State Chapter; Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council, the Muslim Community in Rivers State, Elder Statesmen, Women Groups, Concerned Lawyers, Concerned Doctors, Concerned Engineers, and the Keke Drivers Union.
Calling for mass action, they stated: “We urge all indigenes and residents in Rivers State to be ready for long-drawn, non-violent protest rallies in the state beginning from January 1, 2024. May we announce to Governor Siminialayi Fubara that Rivers State people massively voted him into office and therefore cannot allow him to bring the people into disrepute by signing such an infamous agreement, that is akin to selling our collective hegemony to one individual, Nyesome Wike, who enjoys the support of the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, and the President himself, Bola Tinubu.
“We herein inform the executive governor not to attempt under any guise of persuasive truce, adherence to any part of that unconstitutional agreement as that is tantamount to compromising the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“To think that the meeting was convened at the instance of Mr President, Bola Tinubu, but does not have the signature of Mr President, casts doubt as to the authenticity of the said resolutions.
“It is worthy of mention that the following persons did not also append their signatures: the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Chief of Staff to Mr President, the Attorney General of the Federation and the Chief Justice of the Federation.”
“In fact, that no spokesperson of Mr President addressed the press on the purported resolutions, leaves Nigerians with more questions than answers.
“Sadly, since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has chosen to forget that Rivers State is one of the critical economic hubs in Nigeria, and chosen Nyesome Wike over the peace and development of Rivers State, we the people of Rivers State have chosen ourselves and will therefore take the destiny of our State in our hands.
“We refuse to be cowed just to satisfy one man. The date to occupy Rivers State begins January 1 to January 30, 2024, at the first instance.”
