• Ask Fubara To Ignore Resolutions
• Threaten To Lock All State Critical Assets From January 1, 2024
•Tinubu Didn’t Impose His Will On Fubara, Wike — BAT Vanguard

Thousands of residents of Rivers State yesterday staged the ‘mother of all protests’ in rejection of the eight-point peace resolution signed by the state Governor, Siminilayi Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, under the watch of President Bola Tinubu.

This is even as the BAT Vanguard has faulted the notion being held in certain quarters that President Tinubu imposed his will on Fubara and Wike.

The protesters occupied the Rivers State Government House main gate along Azikiwe Road as early as 7.00am and shut down business activities across some parts of Port Harcourt metropolis.

The protesters comprised Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Hausa community, Students’ Union, elder statesmen and other sstakeholders.

In a joint statement by 16 organisations that participated in the protest, signed by the National President of Rivers State Students, Abbey Precious Sime-Ipiri; President of Ogoni Youth Federation, Dr. Legborsi Yamabana; Coordinator of the National Association of Nigerian Students, Levi Okoru; President of the Rivers State Chapter of the Nigeria Youth Council, Chijioke Ihunwo, among others, the protesters urged Fubara not to implement any part of the agreement, which they described as unconstitutional, under any guise.

The protesters, who displayed flags and placards with various inscriptions, warned that implementing the agreement was tantamount to compromising the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

They reminded Fubara that Rivers people massively voted him into office and therefore would not allow him to bring the people into disrepute by implementing such an agreement.

They insisted that implementing the agreement is akin to selling the collective hegemony of Rivers people to Wike, who according to them, enjoys the support of the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, and the President himself, Bola Tinubu,” the statement noted.

The protesters stated that the purported resolutions clearly reveal a perfected plan to enslave Rivers people and bring the state under the tyrannical control of Wike.

“To think that the meeting was convened at the instance of the President, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, but does not have the signature of Mr. President, throws question as to the authenticity of the said resolutions.

“It is worthy of mention that the following persons did not also append their signatures – the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Chief of Staff to Mr. President, the Attorney General of the Federation and the Chief Justice of the Federation. In fact, that no spokesperson of Mr. President addressed the press on the purported resolutions leaves Nigerians with more questions than answers,” they added.

The protesters further alleged that Wike and the Chief of Staff to the President were working hand in hand to undermine the constitution of the country just to suit their inordinate and selfish political ambitions for 2027.

They added that Wike and Gbajabiamila had flagrantly mobilised the security architecture of the country to unleash violence and mayhem on Rivers State.

While calling on the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, to call Wike to order, the protesters alleged that one Supol London Irikefe, Promise Wosu and CSP Salihu Masalachi of the Counter Terrorism and Special Protection Unit of the Nigeria Police in Rivers were acting on the instructions of the FCT Minister to cause mayhem.

The statement added: “A critical analysis of the purported resolutions reveals a barrage of illegalities and more so at no point was the interest of the good people of Rivers State mentioned or even accommodated. Rather, the ill-fated resolutions depict the abusive show of power for obvious political gains of Mr. President and his FCT Minister”.

The mischievous essence of these resolutions can also be seen in the last point in the document, where the issue of Local Government Caretaker Committee was mentioned.

“It is amazing how Mr. President has allowed and supported a Caretaker Committee of his own party, the APC, in Rivers State but directed the Executive Governor of Rivers State not to consider the use of Caretaker Committee at the Local Councils of the same state.

“It is important to remind Nigerians that APC-led governments in Imo and
Ondo States are currently under Local Government Caretaker Committees.
Why is Mr. President proposing a different stance for Rivers State?

“Among the other ill-advised resolutions is the infamous agreement that the erstwhile state commissioners who resigned their offices citing personal reasons are now to be forced back on the people of Rivers State?

“Mr. President Sir, if that bit of the resolution sounds fair to you, wouldn’t it also be fair enough to direct that the 27 Rivers State House of Assembly members, who defected to your party, APC, be forced to return to their party of original victory, PDP?”

They described the resolutions as a sham and embarrassment to Nigeria, adding that they pose fundamental threats to the nation’s democracy if allowed to subsist.

They warned that the people of Rivers State and the entire Niger Delta would resort to self-help by any non-violent means possible to ensure that their dignity as a people is not trampled upon.

“We therefore call on all Rivers State people (indigenes and residents) and the entire Niger Delta people across Lagos, Ondo, Rivers, Bayelsa, Cross Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Delta and Edo states to get prepared and ready to occupy Omagwa International Airport, Port Harcourt; Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone; NLNG Bonny and Port Harcourt complex and facilities; Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) complex and facilities; Nigeria Agip Oil Company; Total Energies; Aba-Port Harcourt Express road, East West Road, Federal Secretariat, all markets, waterways, among others.

They vowed to occupy all the aforementioned places from January 1 to January 30, 2024, until the president sees the need to rescind his decision.

According to them, since President Tinubu has forgetten that Rivers State is one of the critical economic hubs in Nigeria and chosen his FCT Minister, Wike, over the peace and development of the state, the people of the state have chosen to take the destiny of their state in their hands.

“Rivers State will stay occupied until the president sees reasons with Nigerians and Rivers people and sacks the FCT Minister, Wike. Rivers State is not and cannot be Wike’s estate,” they declared.

The BAT Vanguard in a statement by its leader, Mr. Olusola Olofin, yesterday, explained that Tinubu called for peace and tranquility in Rivers State, which is a part and parcel of his constituency as President of Nigeria.

The group added that whatever resolutions reached by the parties were reached by them on their own and were not imposed by the President.

The group urged all those involved in the crisis to give peace a chance and place the interest of the good people of Rivers State uppermost in all their dealings, deliberations and considerations.

The group added: “The President merely facilitated a settlement between or amongst the disputants in order for them to resolve their differences amicably amongst themselves for the purpose of ensuring good governance for the good people of Rivers State, going forward.

“President Tinubu is a democrat to the core and the chief upholder of constitutionality in this country and his democratic credentials and commitment to democratic values are beyond question.

“We state boldly and categorically that President Tinubu is not on the side of any of the gladiators but strictly and squarely on the side of the common people of Rivers State in this matter, whose welfare, alongside that of their fellow Nigerians, is always his primary and constant priority.

“We insist that President Tinubu and his Renewed Hope Agenda, which is intended to finally ensure that Nigeria attains its true potential and becomes the pride of the Black Race, must remain the focus and preoccupation of everyone privileged enough to serve in the government.

“We, therefore, admonish all to be extremely circumspect in their conduct, behaviour and disposition in order to avoid unnecessary distractions to the good work our President and party have started in our dear nation.

“We call on Nigerians to close ranks and come together as one in order to invest our collective trust in Mr. President with the requisite goodwill and support to take our country, by the grace of Almighty God, to the Promised Land.”