We deplore the unguarded remarks made by His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, the Executive Governor of Rivers State about some critical and revered institutions of our country, Nigeria, simply because their decisions did not suit his selfish interests.
A fortnight ago, Governor Fubara spouted all sorts of vituperative utterances against the Nigerian Police, the Inspector General, and Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, calling his ruling, fraudulent.
Surprisingly, yesterday the governor, again described the landmark ruling which upheld the verdict of Justice Omotoso as “bought judgment.”
He accused the Court of Appeal of turning the law upside down to please “their pay masters.”
It is regrettably unfortunate that our governor is now exhibiting disturbing signs of intellectual disability. At this point, we are genuinely concerned about his mental health, and we advise him to tread carefully for his well-being.
We wish to remind Governor Fubara and his co-travelers that the law is no respecter of anyone, and the rule of law must be enshrined and upheld in Rivers State, irrespective of emotions.
It is incongruous that Governor Fubara stood in front of members of the bench and bar of Rivers State Judiciary to cast aspersions on our legal system, and in the same breath told them that their job is to defend him.
No, sir, their primary job is to dispense justice without fear or favour. Resorting to blackmail and gaslighting will not save you.
Governor Fubara wants the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to be suspended before he can function properly. That is absurd and alien to democratic practices anywhere in the world.
His penchant for disobeying judgments of courts of competent jurisdiction made the justices of the Court of Appeal to say “The posture of the Appellant, the Governor of Rivers State to the effect saying” I do not like the Order made, and I will not obey it” has to be condemned in the strongest term if we are not to say goodbye to democracy predicated on the Rule of Law not Rule of might.
In the landmark judgment, the Court of Appeal ruled that “The Legislature represents the fulcrum of democracy, which must be jealously protected and guarded.”
“It therefore implies that by encouraging four members of Rivers State House of Assembly out of thirty-two to constitute the basis for legislative activities, the appellant, the Governor of Rivers State, was operating with 12.5% of the entity constituting Rivers State.”
Despite this glaring reality, Governor Fubara still wants both the legislature and the judiciary to operate from his bedroom in government house, according to his whim and fancies, as if we are living in a banana republic.
With all due respect for the office of the governor, we regret to state that Fubara’s assertion that, it is only the state high court that can entertain matters emanating from the current political crisis rocking the state is a display of deliberately fostered ignorance.
In conclusion, We commend the Judiciary for its steadfastness and strong resolve in the face of unwarranted attacks, to uphold the rule of law as it relates to the scenarios in Rivers State.
Signed:
Wike Generation Next
18/10/2024
