Analysts have warned that the peace deal which President Bola Ahmed Tinubu brokered between Hon. Nyesom Wike, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, and incumbent governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, to end the protracted political crisis in the state cannot stand the test of time.
The analysts, who spoke to Sunday Independent on Saturday, maintained that the eight-point agreement reached during a meeting of the parties in Aso Rock few days ago, may be dead on arrival as it is considered to be one-sided in favour of Wike and skewed against Fubara.
The Eight-Point Time Bomb
According to the eight-point agreement, “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by the governor of Rivers State, Sir Fubara, and his team, in respect of the political crisis in Rivers State, shall be withdrawn immediately.
“All impeachment proceedings initiated against the governor of Rivers State by the Rivers State House of Assembly should be dropped immediately.
“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.
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.
“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.
The governor of Rivers State, Sir Fubara, shall represent the state budget to a properly constituted Rivers State House of Assembly.
“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.
“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.”
Reacting, Chief Emeka Charles Kalu, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, one of those who spoke on the issue, maintained that in the festering political crisis rocking Rivers State where the serving Governor Fubara has been at daggers drawn with Wike, Tinubu’s intervention could have played a major role in dousing the tension, if certain provisions of the law had not been flouted.
Kalu, National Coordinator, Peoples Democratic Party Coalition (PDPCO), stated that one would have expected President Tinubu’s intervention to be advisory, rather than the purportedly endorsed eight-point resolution, which he insisted, actually ambushed the ventilation and comfort of Governor Fubara.
He stressed that the governor is under oath to deliver leadership services to the good people of Rivers State and as such Nigerians do not expect resolutions to override the provisions of the law, adding that Mr. President, despite all the powers he has, must act in accordance with the letters of the law.
Dr. Kalu stated: “Peace is paramount here. But, it has to be handled in such a way that the freedom of rights, as bestowed on the Rivers State governor, are not infringed upon.
“Taking from the unguided and hasty defection of the 27 factional members of the State Assembly to the All Progressives Congress (APC) against the provisions of Section 109 (1) of the 1999 Constitution, truly raises a sledge hammer on the affected lawmakers.
“Now, the operating four-man House leadership of the State Assembly recognised by the order of Rivers State High Court under Hon. Edison had declared the seats of the 27 members who carpet-crossed to APC vacant.
“The only window open for settling this matter is the court. How then does one think that a resolution held in Aso Rock will bring them back, contrary to the constitutional provisions, which clearly states that bye-elections should be conducted to fill the vacant seats?
“It is time Nigerians should rise to defend the sanctity of the law, if things are to be done the right ways in governance and public sector administration.
“Peace remains the best option towards achieving a healthy society, but not when the provisions of the law have been blatantly disrespected and then finally broken.
“It is absurd to act against the law in order to pave ways for respected personalities, for such an act always derails the integrity of the society, its norms and values.
“As of a few days ago, the Colorado Supreme Court affirmed that Donald Trump is not qualified to stand for the 2024 Presidential election and asked that his names be removed from the primary election ballots on the grounds of proven insurrection against him.
“His only saving ground is to appeal the judgment before the United States of America Supreme Court.
“In Nigeria, why can’t we for once respect our documented constitution and to some extent purge the nation of the prevailing political decadence, negatively sucking it down?
“If Trump can be dared to be sanctioned by the court, why can’t the Nigerian judiciary directly focus and be handing down the administration of justice according to the contextual sentence meanings and interpretations.
I know the implications of operating under a failed legal system and for the fact that we continue to treat our constitution with levity, it is very unimaginable to see the government excel in the face of impunity.
“That is why we keep referring to USA as a case study of a country with standard operations of the rule of law, without working to emulate her.
“It wasn’t magic, rather her judicial system got streamlined through the efforts of its judiciary in upholding the tenets of the law without minding whose ox is being gored.
“We have continued to be publishing to condemn disobedience to the enacted laws of the land; we have not stopped speaking up against abuse of office and other criminal acts punching the face of our nation, but it seems nothing concrete has been done to amend the situation.
“My recommendations: I am of the opinion that the actual wordings of the constitutional law should be adhered to while discussing Rivers State crisis by duly following the precedent set by the Supreme Court on this very similar matter where an elected Ondo House of Representatives Member lost his seat for defecting to another party outside Labour Party under whose platform he was elected.
“I also affirm that the concept of political godfatherism plays no vital role in promoting the political society and should be abolished.
“Mr. President governed Lagos for eight years and he was never godfathered by anybody. So, may we use the same hands of measurement we would like to be treated with to treat others in turns.”
Hints Of 2027
Dr. Rexkennedy Saltlove, a political activist and public affairs analyst, said the so-called peace deal is not far reaching in any sense, as it seems to be very one-sided and skewed to favour the government in power.
Dr Saltlove, President and Executive Director, Citizens Rights and Empowerment Advocacy Initiative (CREMA Initiative), stated: “The terms of agreement reached, starting with the first on the list, makes the President a man of questionable character and reputation that shows Nigeria were fooled and hoodwinked.
“The man who seemed to believe in the judicial process in resolving issues, who advised that if you are not satisfied with the electoral process or issues, one should go to court, is the person who made the first item on the ‘reconciliation’ list a withdrawal of all cases in the court.
“This”, he stated, “means that he believes the judiciary can and could be compromised and utilised to one’s favour.”
He continued: “Other terms begs for questions. The recalling of the 25-27 Houses of Assembly members, whose seats were vacated for defection and also paying them this Christmas; the representation of the budget and who should now be the Speaker, the pro-Fubara man or Pro-Wike man, the rumoured impeachment process against Simi Fubara, that the decamped House of Assembly members initiated going to be dropped now and the next couple of years before the next election.
Dr Saltlove continued: “These and several other issues, which your terms of response permit, cannot allow one to address holistically, are indication that the ‘Peace Deal’ is a great suspect that seems to mortgage the interests of the Riverians whom the governor represents and not far reaching enough to end the political crisis in Rivers State.
Mr. Julius Agulanna, a media executive, said: “In politics, it is said there are no permanent friends or permanent enemies, but permanent interests.
“I believe each of the gladiators have their different interests, and as long as there is a clash of interests, there will be misunderstanding.
“As things are right now, what is important is for Minister Wike and Governor Fubara to allow peace to reign in Rivers State.
“I don’t believe there will not be any rupture later, more so as they are likely to divide along party lines.
“We should expect this crisis again in 2026, when there will be preparation for another general election, except the two agree again.
“My appeal is that they should allow peace to reign, for the love of Rivers State so that the state will also see development under Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Prof. John Ebhomien, an All Progressives Congress (APC), and IMF/World Bank economist, stated: “The peace deal brokered by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a welcome development and is far reaching enough for sustainable development of the stste.
“However, Barrister Nyesom Wike and Gov Fubara must as a matter of necessity reach out to their supporters to embrace peace and implement without delay the deals agreed upon.
“Nigerians must commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a good job well done. This alternative dispute resolution saves time and is in line with what obtains in other climes. It is allowed in law. There should be close monitoring to ensure strict compliance.
“Chief Nyesom Wike and Gov Fubara should always remember that the state is bigger than any individual. The time for peace is now, to enable Gov Fubara to build on the solid foundation laid by Chief Nyesom Wike, popularly known as Mr Project.
“My candid advice to Gov Fubara is to approach issues with caution and a high sense of responsibility.”