President Bola Tinubu has called for obedience to the Supreme Court verdict in Rivers State, asking stakeholders to follow the law to the letter.
The Supreme Court recently nullified last year’s local government elections in the oil-rich state and also asked that Martin Amaewhule and the lawmakers he leads be recognised as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Weeks after the verdict, Tinubu told leaders of the Niger Delta under the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Tuesday to go back and ensure that the ruling is adhered to.
“This is a nation governed by the rule of law. I should not be here as President without a rule of law. I have total confidence in our judiciary. We have expectations. Human beings can make errors. But once the court has spoken, that is it,” presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga quoted his principal as saying.
“Please go back home and help implement the court rulings within the shortest possible time. I am putting the ball in your court. Help! Privately and openly intervene and counsel the governor. Pursue the path of peace and stability”.
Tinubu said he foresaw the crisis in Rivers State and made attempts to forestall it.
“Yes, Niger Delta is the goose that lays the golden egg. We must care for the goose; otherwise, we lose the golden egg. I got your signal and your concern, particularly on Rivers State. I have been on the issue for quite some time. I foresaw the crisis festering for too long before I intervened,” he said.
“We reached an agreement, written agreement, and both parties signed.”
On his part, King Alfred Papapreye Diete-Spiff, Amanyanabo of Twon-Brass Kingdom and Co-Chairman of the PANDEF Board of Trustees, thanked the President for his commitment to South-South well-being and appointments given to Niger Delta indigenes.
“Your government has taken the bull by the horns, and we are sure you will succeed. We are here to give you our assurance and support. I can say now that God bless Nigeria and your government”.
