In a recent report by Daily Post, Governor Sim Fubara of Rivers State made scathing remarks directed at members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, asserting their nonexistence in his eyes.
Fubara emphasized that the Peace Accord he entered with his predecessor, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, was a political maneuver, affording him the latitude to withhold recognition from the lawmakers.
Addressing a delegation of political and traditional leaders from Bayelsa State seeking to mediate the political impasse in Rivers State, Fubara underscored the genesis of the legislative dispute, attributing the existence of the lawmakers solely to his acknowledgment facilitated by the Peace Accord brokered by Tinubu.
“These individuals purporting to be Assembly members lack any semblance of legitimacy in my eyes. I want it unequivocally stated: they do not hold any substantive authority," declared Fubara. "The Peace Accord, while instrumental in mitigating tensions, does not confer constitutional legitimacy upon them; it is a pragmatic resolution to a political quagmire."
In his words: " That is the truth. There was nothing in that Peace Accord that’s a constitutional issue; it’s a political solution to a problem.
“And I accepted it because these were people that were eating in my house, these were people I have helped pay their children’s school fees when I wasn’t even a governor. So, what is the thing there?"
Highlighting the personal connections and assistance extended to these lawmakers prior to assuming the governorship, Fubara emphasized his role in granting them a platform for engagement. However, he underscored the imperative of asserting his authority to challenge their purported legitimacy in the absence of substantive constitutional backing.
“My decision to tolerate their presence stems from a commitment to peace and stability within our state," Fubara remarked. "However, let it be clear: their existence hinges solely upon my recognition. Should I choose to withdraw such recognition, their purported authority evaporates."
Fubara's tenure has been marked by tensions with his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, culminating in a fractious relationship that has polarized the political landscape. The rift has prompted defections from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress, further exacerbating the discord.
In a bid to restore tranquility, Tinubu intervened, mandating both factions to endorse a peace accord aimed at reconciling their differences. Central to this agreement was the acknowledgment of the aggrieved lawmakers aligned with Wike, underscoring the delicate balance of political dynamics in Rivers State.