Wike vs Fubara: Your directive unacceptable, null, void – Rivers elders to Tinubu

The Elders and Leaders of Rivers State have disapproved of President Bola Tinubu’s response to the political unrest roiling the nation.

The elders and leaders protested, claiming that the orders President Tinubu sent to Governor Siminialayi Fubara of Rivers State violated the constitution.

After leaving a Tuesday emergency meeting, the elders declared that Tinubu’s directions were undesirable and invalid.

“A thorough examination of the President’s directives for resolving the political impasse in Rivers State revealed that the directives violate the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s constitution, which the President pledged to uphold at all times,” the Elders stated in a statement read by His Excellency, Chief Rufus Ada George, the former governor of Rivers State.

In an attempt to overturn a court ruling that recognised Rt. Honourable Edison Ehie as speaker and stipulated that the remaining members of the House of Assembly constituted the quorum for legislative business, the directives unilaterally suspended the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s constitution.

Additionally, the directive is against the sacred theory and custom of the separation of powers, especially insofar as it impacts the judiciary’s jurisdiction. Does the President or the government’s executive branch have the authority to overturn a court’s decision?

“This foreshadows executive misbehaviour that jeopardises our constitutional democracy, legal system, and sound government.

The parties received biassed directions that favoured Chief Barr. Nyesom Wike.

“It is evident that the direction to re-present the budget that was approved and signed into law is an attempt to disparage and mock the governor’s office, the good people of Rivers State, and the judiciary.

“Therefore, using all constitutional tools at our disposal, we will repress any resolution or directive that seeks to undermine the concept of separation of powers and the rule of law.