NewStats: 3,261,476 , 8,174,112 topics. Date: Thursday, 29 May 2025 at 11:31 AM 4i644

President Bola Tinubu on Tues­day played host to stakeholders from the Niger Delta region, spe­cifically the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), at the Presiden­tial Villa, Abuja, where he said only rule of law will end Rivers political crisis.

He also told them to prevail on Governor Siminalayi Fubara to implement the recent Supreme Court rulings, reinstating the state Assembly lawmakers.

He said in specific , “Please go back home and help implement the court rulings within the shortest possible time. I am putting the ball in your court. Help! Privately and openly intervene and counsel the governor. Pursue the path of peace and stability”.

While addressing the political leaders from the South-South, Tinubu reiterated that respect for the judiciary is crucial in up­holding democracy and fostering harmony in the oil rich state.

He told the delegation to be more broded, selfless and focused on the larger vision of salvaging the region, politically and economically.

Tinubu also insisted that the judiciary’s interpretations of the constitution must be respected.

The president in suing for peace, acknowledged that the Niger Delta is the goose that lays the golden egg, adding that it ed for his initial intervention when the crisis broke out earlier.

Daily Independent recalls that the incumbent governor, Simi­nalayi Fubara and his estranged godfather, now Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, have been locked in a battle of supremacy over the affairs of Rivers State.

A recent court judgment had reinstated majority of the state Assembly lawmakers, who in turn directed the Governor Fubara to submit the 2025 budget within 48 hours.

Tinubu’s words, “I am here by the grace of God, appreciating your , prayers and concern. I cannot complain. I campaigned for this position and begged for the job. I must do it with all my heart, whatever it takes.

“I will make sure we achieve our promises and goals.

“Nigeria is a great country. To some cabinet here, from outside looking in and inside looking out, we have been doing our best to give Nigeria a re-bounce, a reset and a recalibration of the economic fortune.

“Yes, Niger Delta is the goose that lays the golden egg. We must care for the goose; otherwise, we lose the golden egg. I got your signal and your concern, particularly on Rivers State.

I have been on the issue for quite some time. I foresaw the crisis festering for too long before I intervened.

“We reached an agreement, written agreement, and both parties signed.”

The president said stakeholders must make sacrifices for the state to move forward by recognising the constitution.

“This is a nation governed by the rule of law. I should not be here as president without a rule of law. I have total confidence in our judiciary. We have expectations. Human beings can make errors. But once the court has spoken, that is it.

“Please go back home and help implement the court rulings within the shortest possible time.

I am putting the ball in your court. Help! Privately and openly intervene and counsel the governor. Pursue the path of peace and stability,” he added.

President Tinubu told the delegation that his priority remains community development, particularly projects and programmes that positively impact citizens.

“Go back home and take charge of peace. If you need me, let me know. I have given the situation enough time and enough consideration. We cannot fall back, and we will not. The people of Rivers State will not suffer because of democracy.

We worked together on it. They will not suffer. They must be protected,” President Tinubu said.
The president commended the leadership of the Niger Delta.

“I have seen what you have tolerated in the region. Community development is very close to my heart. The leader of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, is doing a great job and should be encouraged to do more.

“He is your son. We are all proud of him. Yes, there are lots of misadventurers around Nigeria on democracy. We will continue to work on preserving the integrity and character of our legislators.

“I sincerely thank you for bringing up those issues. And for doing what you are doing for the country. Nigeria is too big for anyone. And greater than anyone. It is so great.

That greatness must come from us through our determination, perseverance and endurance to do all we can to improve it.”

Tinubu lauded the delegation for acknowledging the efforts to stimulate the economy for more sustainable and predictable growth.

“We cannot achieve Eldorado in one day. But we are on the path to it. We will succeed by the grace of God Almighty. We are resetting the economy, and it looks far better. We have funds for our children in college. Our medical colleges are also getting equipped,” he said.

The president noted that the ongoing coastal road project will create new economic benefits for the Niger Delta and the country.

“We are already working with international companies to build ports in the Niger Delta states,” he stated.

King Alfred Papapreye Diete-Spiff, Amanyanabo of Twon- Brass Kingdom and Co-Chairman of the PANDEF Board of Trustees, thanked the president for his commitment to South- South well-being and appointments given to Niger Delta indigenes.

“Your government has taken the bull by the horns, and we are sure you will succeed. We are here to give you our assurance and . I can say now that God bless Nigeria and your government,” he said.

Obong Victor Attah, former governor of Akwa Ibom State and co-chair of the PANDEF Board of Trustees, called for further intervention in the Rivers State crisis.

Attah, who also chairs the reconciliation committee set up by PANDEF in Rivers State, said the political crisis in Rivers State threatens national stability and deserve more attention.

“Instability there has far-reaching consequences on the peace and stability of the nation,” he added.

He praised the president’s reforms, including power devolution and regional development recognition, and urged focus on infrastructure, seaports, environmental sustainability, and fiscal federalism in the South-South.

At the meeting which had in attendance Senator Seriake Dickson; Professor Mike Ozekhome; former Cross River State governor, Mr. Liyel Imoke; former Rivers Deputy Governor, Tele Ikuru; former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Timi Alaibe; Jaja of Opobo, Professor Dandeson Jaja; Senator Ita Enang; Senator Bassey Henshaw; Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, former acting Managing Director of the NDDC; Uche Secondus; Senator Andrew Uchendu; National Coordinator of Host Communities of Nigeria, HOSTCOM, Okareme Maikpobi; Niger Delta activist, Ms. Ann-Kio Briggs; spokesman of PANDEF, Chief Obiwevbi Ominimini, among others, Tinubu said he stood firmly for peace and adherence to the rule of law.

https://independent.ng/tinubu-says-only-rule-of-law-will-end-rivers-political-crisis/

Spoken like a true leader.

In other words, Fubara must obey supreme court judgement.

Hmmmmmmm

zero8zero:


https://independent.ng/tinubu-says-only-rule-of-law-will-end-rivers-political-crisis/

Exactly.
A Governor that burned down a State house of Assembly in order to prevent them from impeachment him should be impeached by any means necessary.
A Governor should not be able to spend State money without proper appropriation by the legal house of assembly.
He should be impeached to serve as A deterant to others in the future.

Fubara dey pepper dem for NTA

Yeah rule of law.......make I no talk wetin dey my mind sha........

Imagine if this whole brouhaha was between Wike and el Rufai!!.......By now, who knows, properties for don dey kiss the earth by now..!!

Tinubu and Wike want Rivers badly, they can't have it.

Of course, his right

Mr democrat. Take it from me, the master is on the game. They are working with the master and the master knows the game. Who is the master?
i laughed so hard hearing these words on Arise tv yesterday.

Does wike believe in rule of law ? Even wike has already insulted the ijaw people calling them minority, does it make senses ?

As it stands now. Na violence they go use settle the matter.

this ediot cannot caution ⚠️ wike abi? Is it true that Tinubu also follow wike orders? Shame.

Rule Of Law. I doubt we have it in Nigeria going by its prerequisites.

Only slavery will end Rivers Crisis.

They are looking for ways to turn Rivers to another Lagos

He spoke so neutral you won't fault him from any angle

Evil doers have only unjust laws

Peter Obi/El-Rufai 2027!!!

This is the ticket that is meant to deliver Nigerians from Tinubunomics/Tinubulation.

Watch this space!

zero8zero:
Spoken like a true leader.

Useless man..
But u pay judges to

IPIGSRSHALLOW:
Exactly.
A Governor that burned down a State house of Assembly in order to prevent them from impeachment him should be impeached by any means necessary.
A Governor should not be able to spend State money without proper appropriation by the legal house of assembly.
He should be impeached to serve as A deterant to others in the future.

And let Godfatherism continue, let ex Governor be ruling by proxy while he is appointed as a minister right? 🤣🤣🤣 Aspiring Leader of tomorrow 🤣🤣

Is there Rule of Law in Naija??
Rule of Law ke

Dem go carry engine oil fry buns for Naija

Yea, the Rule of Law that is manipulated by the APC hijacked Judiciary.

iwaeda:
Tinubu and Wike want Rivers badly, they can't have it.

Unless they remove fubara forcefully like impeachment, which they can't do it be they fear it have a consequences.

Na so

This is one evidence of a deviant and wicked politician. They make sure you're cornered within the space of their executive and political power and influence.

Who owns the law in Nigeria? Is it not the Executives? Who controls the courts and the judges? Is it not Tinubu?

Rule of law my foot

He cannot be impeached
Get it, they need the state court for that and fubura has it currently
Highest is distraction

IPIGSRSHALLOW:
Exactly.
A Governor that burned down a State house of Assembly in order to prevent them from impeachment him should be impeached by any means necessary.
A Governor should not be able to spend State money without proper appropriation by the legal house of assembly.
He should be impeached to serve as A deterant to others in the future.

By using the corrupt SC to attain it? A Tinubu that does not believe in the rule of law when the LASHA removed Obasa cant be telling Rivers state being forced under the dictate of Nyesom Wike about rule of law.

Okay

Either Fubara agrees to play ball and revert to been Wike's boy or he gets impeached.

Tinubu's body language has shown he won't give him any soft landing.
Anything else will just make the impeachment faster.
If only he tried to attract more of those assembly to his side for any cost, the odds might be in his favour today. Too bad The ship has since sailed.
He is just a sitting duck now, all the media showoff and social media rant won't help him. He can only wish for luck or a national crisis that will make them forget him.

Fubara's impeachment is unfortunately near. Wrong political calculations.

Lol.. Only rule of law will end it, using judiciary to fight and calling it rule of law.