By TONYE BARCANISTA
Thankfully, the Governor succinctly captured my thought in paragraph 12 of his Christmas message where he said he would implement the President Tinubu directives without “compromising the collective interest of our people and our cherished shared democratic values”. This thought was re-echoed in paragraphs 14 and 16.
Will President Bola Tinubu be accommodating if 27 members of Lagos State House of Assembly decide to defect to PDP or Labour Party from APC?
Was Bola Tinubu as Governor comfortable when Senators Adeseye Ogunlewe and Wahab Dosunmu abandoned AD for PDP?
Was Bola Tinubu accommodating of Senator Musliu Obanikoro when he abandoned AD for PDP?
Was Governor Bola Tinubu accommodating of his former deputy, Mr. Femi Pedro, when he switched his allegiance to Labour Party from AC?
Did Governor Bola Tinubu subordinate his authority to President Olusegun Obasanjo? Did he reverse the creation of LCDAs in Lagos State when he was directed to do so by President Obasanjo?
As Governor, Bola Tinubu exercised his full authority and never took prisoners. He actually energized his colleagues with his firm stance and resistance to federal influence. In fact, he chased FRSC from Lagos roads and replaced them with LASTMA despite huge resistance by President Obasanjo and Sen. Ogunlewe the minister of works. This move was emulated by other Governors subsequently! Who wouldn’t love Governor Tinubu?
Ironically, Tinubu as President is giving to a sitting Governor what he would not take when he was Governor.
While I am in full support of the peace move by Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State, I maintain that such move should be within the ambit of constitutionality and in the interest of Rivers people.
The Speakership of the House of Assembly in Rivers state, that is at present occupied by Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie, is a legak matter that is still before the Court, the Governor has no authority over.
The twenty-five lawmakers whose seats have been declared vacant by the Hon. Ehie, are now legally former lawmakers irrespective of the sentiment of anybody. Until the Federal High Court (Abuja) rule otherwise, there is nothing anyone can do.
The re-presentation of the 2024 Appropriation Law (2024 Budget) to the legally former lawmakers is unknown to any democracy. This is equally beyond the Governor or any other person. Whoever feels that there was infraction in the process should go to court to invalidate the law.
As Governor, Siminalayi Fubara is bound by his oath of office to preserve and defend the provisions of the Constitution and interest of Rivers people. He can’t do beyond his powers nor act outside his oath.
Thankfully, the Governor succinctly captured my thought in paragraph 12 of his Christmas message where he said he would implement the President Tinubu directives without “compromising the collective interest of our people and our cherished shared democratic values”. This thought was re-echoed in paragraphs 14 and 16.
May Rivers State and Governor Fubara succeed! Compliment of the Season
*Tonye Barcanista is the Publicity Secretary of Rivers Bridge Initiative. X: @tonyebarcanista
