Engage Rivers’ gladiators before emergency rule ends, ex-minister urges Tinubu

A former Minister of Transport, Ademola Adegoroye, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to once again engage the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, as well as other political actors in the state before the expiration of the emergency rule.

According to Adegoroye, who is also a lawyer, the meeting will undoubtedly allow far-reaching decisions to be taken in the interest of the people of the state, particularly the restoration of democratic governance.

While commending Tinubu on the declaration of a state of emergency in the state, the former minister stated at the weekend that the president’s action signposted the traits of a courageous leader and stressed that only responsible leaders take extra-constitutional measures, however illegal and unpleasant, to ensure law and order and improve responsible governance.

Adegoroye maintained that considering the number of arms and ammunition in the possession of South South warlords and militants, particularly the security report with the President, must have propelled the decisive action.

He said: “I was taken aback and almost in shock when Mr President and Commander-in-Chief, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, declared emergency rule in Rivers State and went on to suspend democratic structures immediately. I have taken time to properly read the enabling laws that set out the conditions under which a state governor may leave office. I have also listened and read so much, particularly the opinion of the two sides to the conflict.

“I have also done some research on this issue, and I have come to a convinced position that Mr President took an action and a decision which only strong and courageous leaders do, particularly when they are prepared to make sacrifices which will be beneficial to their countries and ensure that history records them positively, such that such individuals leave their footprints in the sands of time.

“Perhaps, just perhaps, Mr President should just have waited and watched for another week or two, and Nigerians would have seen the stories that would have come out of Rivers State. Maybe, just maybe, those who have taken an irreversible position on the matter would take a second look at Mr President’s decision.

“Being a politician myself, I know that it is not out of place for us to read political meanings into Mr President’s actions, but time will tell whether it was a decision taken selfishly or that taken in good conscience for the overall good of Rivers State and the entire country in general.

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“Oil pipelines had started to be blown by unknown people at a time of deep economic recession and strangulation, and threats of further breakdown of law and order were issued in the public space, and even militants were already spoiling for a showdown.
Adegoroye further stated that “No responsible president would stand idly by and watch that situation deteriorate and degenerate. I dare say that Mr President’s actions have protected life and property in Rivers, restored law and order, and preserved the nation’s economic infrastructure.

“Who would say to me that had Governor Fubara and the Wike-supported House of Assembly still been in place, we would still be experiencing the peace we presently enjoy in Rivers? Strong, courageous presidents and leaders the world over take firm measures no matter how unpleasant. This is not to say Asiwaju should become a dictator, but I say that in the instant case, he acted like a statesman.

“I hereby call on Mr President to further act like that statesman he is proving to be to once again intervene with a second meeting, which would take balanced, far-reaching decisions in the interest of ALL and ensure the restoration of democratic governance in Rivers at the end of the six-month emergency rule.

“Wike and his junior brother, Fubara, and indeed all the actors in Rivers would have taken these six months to cool off, be sober and reflect, to think deeply and see whether all they’ve done since this crisis started has been in their own self-interest or in the interest of Rivers State and its good people.”