Sources from the Presidency have revealed that political gladiators from the South-South, especially governors and National Assembly members from the region, are making efforts to broker peace between the key players of the Rivers State political crisis, insisting the emergency rule is a stop-gap measure to pave way for a truce.
President Bola Tinubu had on March 18 declared a state of emergency in Rivers, citing the breakdown of governance as a result of the war of attrition between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the state’s lawmakers, as well as attacks on oil facilities in the state.
Tinubu also suspended Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and members of the state’s House of Assembly.
He thereafter swore in a retired Chief of Naval Staff, Ibok-Ette Ibas, as the state’s sole administrator.
The President relied on Section 305 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) as the basis for his action.
However, stakeholders insisted that the action was unnecessary as it is a stark indication that the country is drifting towards authoritarian rule.
In defence, multiple sources in the Presidency, who spoke on the issue on Sunday, said the idea of the emergency rule was to provide both parties with a much-needed period of respite, giving them ample time to de-escalate tensions, purge themselves of emotions and engage in meaningful discussions to resolve the impasse.
The sources further pointed out that key figures, including members of the Senate and governors from the South-South region, were actively working towards fostering reconciliation between the parties, with the ultimate goal of ending all grievances.
The officials also explained that a meditating panel was likely to be instituted, as requested by the National Assembly.
“These (mediating panels) are suggestions on the table,” one of the sources disclosed. “Customarily, the idea of the emergency rule is to give the parties time to cool down and sit down to solve their problems. That is the essence.
“So what the senate and the south-south governors are offering is to reconcile the parties so that they can stop all these fighting and quarrelling.”
Another source added, “Even the man there now, the sole administrator, part of his role is to reconcile the parties in conflict. That is part of his role, to make sure that the place is stabilised to reconcile them so they can work together for the peace and progress of Rivers.
“So, the President doesn’t need to get involved. The structures are there to take care of the issues.”
