By: Felix Ikpotor
Following the face-off between the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara and the State House of Assembly, the Ijaw National Congress has vowed to resist any attempt by the lawmakers to remove the governor through any means.
President -General of Ijaw National Congress, INC, Professor Benjamin Okaba at a press conference in Port Harcourt said the Ijaw nation would do everything to protect the governor against any form of harassment.
He frowned at the lack of respect for the office of the governor by the assembly members and some local council chairmen in the state.
The Ijaw leader pointed out that the governor does not need the approval of the legislature to appointment officials or members of his cabinet on acting capacity.
He warned those beating the drums of war to allow peace reign in the state as the Ijaw nation is watching would respond appropriately should anything go contrary.
“The Ijaw National Congress as the Umbrella Operative Organization of the Ijaw Nation and as Guardians of the Socio-Political and Cultural Interest of Ijaw People Worldwide, has observed with deep dismay, the recent political wrangling in Rivers State between the Legislature and the Executive.
“The House of Assembly’s duty in civilized democracies around the world is the making of laws for the welfare, peace and good governance of the society, while the duties of the Governor are clearly defined; governance, appointment of senior state officials in the political arm of government and thirdly, through his cabinet, to bring about infrastructural and human capital development.
“The constitution is very clear as to which officers and in what capacities clearance has to be sought. The conditions for Acting appointments are not the same as substantive ones. Substantive appointments need clearance, while temporary appointments are stop-gap appointments and do not need any form of clearance or approval. This is clearly evident in the case of President Tinubu and the Service Chiefs, and the Inspector General of Police. It would be recalled that all the Service Chiefs were given temporary appointments before their names were submitted for confirmation by the National Assembly for their respective substantive positions. What is good for the President at the Federal level is also good for the Governor at the State level of governance.
“It is also worthy of note that central to the issues of this imbroglio is RESPECT. A situation where there is no decorum, protocol and decency in the way and manner the House of Assembly and certain Local Government Chairmen in Rivers State address the Chief Executive of Rivers State is unacceptable to the entire Ijaw Nation and all people of decency in the whole wide world.
“Rumours abound and signs are palpable that this entire macabre dance is for the Rivers State House of Assembly to proceed with Impeachment Notice on the Governor, should he be confrontational. This, if carried out will not be tolerated or accepted by the Ijaw Nation across the Niger Delta and beyond. The Ijaw National Congress, therefore, wish to restate that ours is to sue for peace, and therefore, ask for serious caution.
“This plea for restraint is not from a position of weakness but from a position of advanced knowledge and education. Nobody can define the path of any lit fire and indeed no one can define the direction of a lit fire on an harmattan grass lawn.
“We give this advice in good conscience believing that the volatile Oil-Rich Niger Delta and the Ijaw Nation are watching.
“Finally, we hope that the drums and the signature tunes for this macabre dance are not coming from outside influencers, for we know how to respond appropriately to such dramatis personae,” he said.
He commended Governor Siminalayi Fubara for showing character and not being distracted by the provocative statements of a local government chairman.
While denouncing ethnic colouration of the crisis, Okaba however, warned Ijaws in the assembly of the consequences of betraying an Ijaw man.
