…Says accord didn’t address root-cause of conflict
By: Felix Ikpotor
Following the intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the political crisis rocking Rivers State and the issuance of an 8-point proclamation by the President, a group known as the Coalition of Rivers State Leaders of Thoughts (CORSLOT), have voiced their resentment to some clauses in the proclamation.
The group in a communiqué issued at the end of their meeting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, said some clauses in the peace accord tends to intimidate and bully the State Governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara.
The communiqué which was read by the convener, Chief Sunnie Chukumele and signed by other members such as Prof Blessing Didia, Honourable Alalibo Fredericks, Dr Parry Benson, Hajia Maggie Marian Batubo, Chief Tammy Daturu amongst others thanked President Tinubu for his intervention but insisted that the peace accord didn’t address the root-cause of the crisis.
The group also said that the accord did not recognize the constitutional and legal issues surrounding the defected lawmakers.
The communiqué reads in part:
“That we appreciate the President and other well meaning groups and persons who have shown good will and genuine interest in the developments of our State by ensuring that peace is regained between the conflicting parties.
“That we express our reservation in the manner in which the presidential peace accord was delivered against the State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, which shows that it did not address the root cause of the problem. The exercise as observed, presents the scenario as bullying and intimidation of an elected Governor which is the symbol of authority and power of Rivers State.
“That we found it as nebulous, a situation where representative of another political party outside the ruling party is signing the peace accord. In this case, other major political parties should have been invited for the negotiation and accord in the state.
“That we also observed that the Abuja proclamation did not recognize constitutional, judicial and legal issues regarding the state legislators who defected from the political party that gave them the platform to a new one. Rivers people are worried about these issues.
” That above all, clauses 5 to 7 of the peace accord are obnoxious and repugnant in nature, and hence unacceptable to Rivers people. This is not about the Governor, but the entirety of the people of Rivers State. Accepting clause 5 means that Rivers State House of Assembly members can sit in a beer palour to deliberate and pass laws for the State, while clause 6 will present the worst oddity in governance as it will be record breaking in executive cowardice and stupidity. Representing a State budget that had been passed into law and assented to by the Governor is akin to what obtains in a Banana Republic. “Then clause 7 means that there are no other persons so qualified to serve in the State Executive Council other than those who willingly resigned their appointments. This will amount to making the state a laughing stock”.
The group welcomed the implementation of the peace accord so far with the withdrawals of pending actions in the court by both sides and commended the state governor for his stance on peace.
The group also faulted the ethnic colouration given to the conflict, stressing that it is a state matter and should be treated as such.
“Furthermore, we commend the stance of the State Governor on the Peace Process as we believe also that Peace is priceless.That we are happy with the Governor’s Christmas Day visit to his predecessor, Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike-CON. We believe by such steps, real peace based on mutual love and respect would be birthed to the Glory of God.
“That we condemn the sectionalization and ethnicization of the political conflict in Rivers State. The problem should at all times be seen as Rivers State problem and must be solved by Rivers people. “That we condemn in its entirety the ugly development of accusation of intimidation and vandalism against opposing and dissenting voices and opinion. Let it be known to all that CORSLOT shall at all times be Rivers State centric, non partisan, and defender of the interest of the State and her citizens.We are interested in the development and prosperity of our dear State,” the group said.
