The proposed agreement by President Bola Tinubu has provoked fury among Rivers indigenes who believe it indicates a hidden agenda to relinquish state leadership to the Minister of FCT Nyesom Wike.
Outrage over this perceived plot has intensified, with residents expressing discontent and raising concerns about the implications for the state’s governance.
In a dramatic turn of events, thousands of protesters swarmed the Government House in Port Harcourt, vehemently urging Governor Siminalayi Fubara to rebuff the peace deal proposed by President Bola Tinubu.
The dissenting voices, represented by leaders from 16 organizations, including prominent figures like Comrade Abbey Precious Sime-Ipiri and Dr. Legborsi Yamabana, contested the constitutionality of the accord.
Expressing their concerns through a joint statement, the group likened the agreement to surrendering the collective autonomy of the state to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister, Nyesom Wike. They adamantly argued that not only was the resolution unconstitutional, but it also lacked the signatures of the President or any high-ranking federal official.
The protesters contended that this agreement seemed to unveil a covert plan to subjugate the people of Rivers and subject the state to the tyrannical control of a single individual. Questioning the legitimacy of the resolutions, they pointed out the absence of signatures from key figures such as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Chief of Staff to the President, the Attorney General of the Federation, and the Chief Justice of the Federation.
Allegations surfaced among the protesters, asserting that Governor Wike and the Chief of Staff to Femi Gbajabiamila were colluding to undermine the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for their selfish political aspirations in 2027.
Calling upon the citizens of Rivers State and the entire Niger Delta region, the protesters urged them to prepare for action, proposing occupation plans for strategic locations like Omagwa International Airport, Port Harcourt, Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone, NLNG Bonny, and the Port Harcourt complex and facilities. Additionally, they called for demonstrations at Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) complex, Nigeria Oil Agip Oil Company, Total Energies, Aba-Port Harcourt Express Road, East West Road, Federal Secretariat, all markets, waterways, and more. The statement concluded with a rallying cry for solidarity in the face of perceived constitutional threats.
