Governor Siminalayi Fubara has been told to deal decisively with the 27 pro-Nyesom Wike lawmakers in Rivers State amid the raging crisis...READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Fubara was told to use the appropriate provisions of the constitution against any individual or group inciting political unrest in Rivers state. The advice came from the former deputy speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Leyii Kwanee, in response to the ongoing crisis surrounding local government chairmanship in the state.
Kwanee urged elders and leaders of the state to speak out against the deliberate actions of certain politicians causing unnecessary tension, thereby disrupting democratic processes in Rivers.
“I have observed with deep concern the escalating political crisis in our beloved state over the past year, particularly the uproar caused by the alleged tenure extension for the outgoing council chairmen,” he remarked.
“This situation is regrettable because it seems politicians in the state are blowing things out of proportion. It’s important to emphasize that the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, stands above any legislation enacted at lower levels of government. The constitution is unequivocally supreme and must be respected.”
“Section 7(1) of the constitution establishes the system of democratically elected local government councils, implying that their tenure is finite,” Kwanee clarified.
“The Law No 2 of 2024 hastily enacted by the dismissed 27 lawmakers holds no precedence over the constitution or the laws of Rivers state. Those behind this tenure extension were not lawmakers when they drafted it, as their seats had already been legally declared vacant.”
“The 27 former lawmakers foolishly created problems for themselves and the former local government council chairmen with this absurd law, evidently designed to stir unrest in Rivers state,” he added.
Kwanee urged the former chairmen to acknowledge that their tenure expired on Monday, June 17, and to abide by the law, noting that those interested could seek re-election.
He commended Governor Fubara for maintaining peace amid the unwarranted attacks on his administration and urged state elders and leaders to vehemently condemn the escalating crisis. He implored those responsible to reconsider their actions for the sake of peace and development in Rivers state.
“However, if these troublemakers persist in their provocations and refuse to heed advice, then I urge the Governor to invoke the necessary constitutional provisions and confront such threats to the state, regardless of their status,” Kwanee concluded.
