By Chief Charles Omuso Jumbo
It is pertinent to state that the continued acts and flagrant disobedience to the provisions of section 109 1(g) by the former members of the Rivers State House of Assembly can lead to the political conflagration of Nigeria if not stopped by the relevant authorities just like what eventually led to the civil war of 1966 which started from the old Western region. With the aid of the internet that enables widespread coverage of information, it is very likely that Nigeria, going by the unfolding scenarios in Rivers State is fast sliding to a state of breakdown of law and order.
Similarly, there has been the daily viral news that have occupied the media space since last year October when the former 25 Rivers State House of Assembly members loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Ezebunwo Nyesom Wike started their journey of the absurd and flagrant disobedience of the constitution which has heated up the state. But for the peaceful and calm demeanor of the Rivers State Governor, His Excellency Governor Amaopusenibo Sir Similaye Joseph Fubara, there would have been massive loss of lives and properties in the state. Even after the intervention of the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu with a political solution to the problems in the state, the former members of the Assembly were determinedly continuing in their provocative and selfish actions that were not in consonance with the Nigerian constitution and against the well being of the Rivers people. They started passing out bills that stripped the powers of the Executive Governor including, but not limited to reducing his ability to provide the dividends of democracy unhindered to the people of the State. All these provocative actions against the Governor went without him responding to them in words nor in action. Instead, he kept preaching to Rivers people to maintain peace and he focused on delivering the dividends of democracy to the people of the state.
To make matters worse, Rivers people and most Nigerians who were abreast with the happenings, angrily spoke out, some went to court to seek justice by legally enforcing the vacation of the seats of the 25 former members of Assembly. Some went as far as condemning the Governor as a weak and powerless man who did not know his rights.
Irrespective of the fore mentioned, the Governor still ignored the utter provocative and unconstitutional actions of the former law makers hoping to maintain peace till it became obvious that those supporting Barrister Wike were determined to destroy the state by all means.
A good example is one Tony Okocha, the Rivers State Representative of Niger Delta Development Commission (who is used to making irrational and inflammatory statements) recently called for the immediate impeachment of the Governor for stating that the former lawmakers do not exist. What an absurdity? How can such statement elicit an impeachment? It was at this stage that the legally recognized remaining House of Assembly members decided to act in consonance with the Nigerian constitution by electing a Speaker of the House, Rt Honourable Victor Oko Jumbo, since it was crystal clear to all that the former members of the Rivers State House of Assembly were neither interested in adhering to the political agreement nor maintaining peace and allowing the Governor to do his job unhindered. Consequently, in a case with suit no. PHC/1512/CS/2024 the legally remaining members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt Honourable Victor Oko Jumbo, the new Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Honourable Orubienmigha Timothy and Honourable Sokari Goodboy secured a ruling which was given by Justice Charles N. Wali in Port Harcourt on Friday specifically directing the former 25 lawmakers to desist from acting in their capacities as legislators. In addition, the court directed the Rivers State Government to stop all dealings with the former lawmakers due to the declaration that their seats have been vacated as a result of the defection from the party that enabled their election into the House of Assembly. With such judgement, it is expected that Martins Amaehule and his colleagues obey the respected Judge’s ruling. But they are still acting as lawmakers. The dangerous part of this is that no action has been taken by the Federal Government or it’s security agents to ensure that Martins Amaehule and his misguided colleagues respect the rule of law, rather the Inspector General of Police despatched a contingent of Police to ensure that they provide security for Martins Amaehule and his colleagues to continue holding illegal sessions and heating up the polity. Rivers people and Nigerians are watching in consternation how security authorities are aiding the disobedience of the rule of law. This is an inevitable call for anarchy if not checked.
In conclusion, it is very safe to say at this juncture that Nigerians are going through a lot of economic challenges and it is at such times that human beings become irrational. So if the problems caused by the former lawmakers are not immediately stopped, it can lead to a total breakdown of law and order and possibly the worse crisis/humanitarian disaster known to man. His Excellency President Tinubu should quickly take action to halt this.
Chief Honourable Charles Omuso Jumbo is a member of the
Rivers Bridge Initiative
