S’South govs, N’Assembly plan to reconcile Fubara, lawmakers

 Multiple sources from the Presidency have told The PUNCH that political leaders from the South-South, especially governors from the region, are making efforts to reconcile warring parties, insisting the emergency rule is a stop-gap measure to allow for reconciliation.

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) to back his action.

However, stakeholder insisted that the action was unnecessary and could steer the country 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, allowing them the time to de-escalate tensions and engage in meaningful discussions to resolve their differences.

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 told The PUNCH. “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 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.”

Reps committee

The House of Representatives will soon make a public pronouncement on the constitution of a committee to run the affairs of the Rivers State House of Assembly, The PUNCH has learnt.

The Deputy Spokesman of the Green Chamber, Philip Agbese, disclosed this in a telephone interview with The PUNCH in Abuja on Sunday.

Last week, both chambers of the National Assembly approved and ratified the emergency rule proclamation after considering a letter of request for approval from the Presidency.

Before the ratification of the emergency rule, the House frowned at Tinubu’s declaration that the administrator would report to the Federal Executive Council, pointing out that Section 305 of the Constitution he relied upon to suspend Fubara and the Rivers Assembly could not be read in isolation of Section 11 of the Constitution.

Section 11(4) of the Constitution empowers the National Assembly to take over the legislative duties of a State Assembly where the latter cannot function as is the case with the Rivers Assembly today.

The Section reads, “At any time when any House of Assembly of a State is unable to perform its functions because of the situation prevailing in that State, the National Assembly may make such law for the peace, order and good government of that State with respect to matters on which a House of Assembly may make laws as may appear to the National Assembly to be necessary or expedient until such time as the House of Assembly is able to resume its functions.

“Any such laws enacted by the National Assembly pursuant to this section shall have effect as if they were laws enacted by the House of Assembly of the State.

Speaking exclusively with The PUNCH on Sunday, Agbese reiterated the commitment of the National Assembly to usher in peace in Rivers State by getting the warring parties to sheathe their swords and work together.

He said, “The Speaker and House leadership are already addressing this issue and a public announcement will be made soon regarding the committee to be set up by the parliament.

“At the moment, the House is more concerned about restoring peace in Rivers State and bringing the various groups together. This is a novel situation that requires further consultations within and outside the parliament,” he said.