Cessation of political hostilities in Rivers State is in the offing as the governor, Mr Siminalayi Fubara and his estranged godfather and predecessor, Mr Nyesom Wike, now minister of the Federal Capital Territory, yesterday signed a peace accord.
The peace deal was signed at the instance of President Bola Tinubu at a meeting in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The accord was signed after 27 pro-Wike lawmakers in the state house of assembly elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) defected to the president’s party, All Progressives Congress (APC) and were issued the party’s flag.
It also came following the resignation of nine commissioners from Fubara’s cabinet, reportedly on Wike’s prompting.
The commissioners were the attorney general and commissioner for justice, works, finance, special projects, transport, housing, environment, education, and social welfare and rehabilitation.
President at the meeting beside the president, Fubara and Wike, was also the former governor of the state, Dr Peter Odili and some other stakeholders from Rivers.
Also in attendance were the vice president, Mr Kashim Shettima, the deputy governor of Rivers State, Ngozi Odu; national security adviser, NSA, Mr Nuhu Ribadu as well as the chief of staff to the president, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila.
According to the peace resolutions, impeachment moves against Fubara would stop; the speaker and leader of Wike27 lawmakers, Mr Martin Amaewhule would return as speaker while pro-Fubara speaker. Mr Edison Ehie, who presided over the passage of the 2024 appropriation bill last Thursday, December 14, will step down.
It was also agreed that all matters in court would be withdrawn and the governor will re-submit the N800.3 billion 2024 budget to the whole House.
Full text of the resolutions
1. ALL matters instituted in the courts by the Governor of Rivers State, Sir Fubara, and his team, in respect of the political crisis in Rivers State, shall be withdrawn IMMEDIATELY.
2. ALL impeachment proceedings initiated against the Governor of Rivers State by the Rivers State House of Assembly should be dropped immediately.
3. The leadership of the Rivers State House of Assembly as led by the Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule shall be recognised alongside the 27 members who resigned from the PDP.
4. The remunerations and benefits of ALL members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and their staff must be reinstated immediately and the Governor of Rivers State shall henceforth not interfere with the full funding of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
5. The Rivers State House of Assembly shall choose where they want to sit and conduct their legislative business without interference and/or hindrance from the Executive arm of government.
6. The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Fubara, shall re-present the state budget to a properly constituted Rivers State House of Assembly.
.7 The names of ALL commissioners in the Rivers State Executive Council who resigned their appointments because of the political crisis in the state should be resubmitted to the House of Assembly for approval.
8. There should NOT be a caretaker committee for the local governments in Rivers State. The dissolution of the local government administration is null and void and shall not be recognised.
