Tension Rises As Former LG Bosses Challenge Fubara To Enforce Supreme Court Verdict

Tension Rises As Former LG Bosses Challenge Fubara To Enforce Supreme Court Verdict

Former Local Government Chairmen from the Ijaw faction in Rivers State have called on Governor Siminalayi Fubara to fully implement the Supreme Court ruling concerning the ongoing political crisis. They emphasized that adhering to the judgment is essential for maintaining peace and fostering development in the state.…..READ MORE 

During a press briefing in Port Harcourt on Thursday, Rowland Sekibo, former Chairman of Akuku-Toru LGA, spoke on behalf of the group. He accused Governor Fubara of deliberately delaying the execution of the Supreme Court’s decision.

Sekibo criticized the governor for dismissing the presidential intervention, which, according to him, was designed to protect Fubara from impeachment and stabilize the political situation in Rivers State.

“The presidential intervention secured Governor Fubara’s position, ensuring he could not be impeached while encouraging him to cooperate with the state Assembly. However, he rejected it, branding it unconstitutional under the influence of conflict-driven individuals,” Sekibo stated.

Sekibo also raised concerns over rising political tensions in the state, alleging that certain Ijaw-affiliated groups were threatening to sabotage oil installations if Fubara faced impeachment.

He specifically mentioned the President of the Ijaw National Congress, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, and former militant leader Asari Dokubo, accusing them of making inflammatory statements that could endanger national security.

“We strongly condemn these baseless threats. Such comments not only put Nigeria’s energy sector at risk but also paint the Ijaw people in a negative light. These threats are insensitive to the other ethnic groups in Rivers State who also supported Governor Fubara,” Sekibo asserted.

Sekibo further accused Governor Fubara of fueling division instead of working towards peace. He alleged that rather than calming tensions after the Supreme Court ruling, Fubara made statements that incited unrest.

“Instead of calling for calm, the governor publicly suggested leading youths and supporters to resist the ruling, which could result in violence,” Sekibo claimed.

Reaffirming that impeachment is a legal and constitutional process, Sekibo urged the Ijaw community to discourage any actions that might lead to Fubara’s removal. He also called on security agencies, including the Police, DSS, and the military, to ensure the immediate enforcement of the Supreme Court’s judgment.

“We demand the swift implementation of the ruling to restore order and prevent unnecessary disruptions,” he added.

Sekibo’s press briefing was attended by several former LGA chairpersons, including Hon. Daniel Daniel (Ogu/Bolo), Hon. Akuro Tobin (Okrika), Hon. Erastus Awortu (Andoni), Hon. Onengiye George (Asari-Toru), Hon. Michael Williams (Degema), and others, all of whom emphasized the need for adherence to the rule of law.