Governor Sim Fubara of Rivers State recently attended a meeting in Abuja to discuss the political crisis in his state. However, it is important for him to step back and carefully review the results of this meeting to ensure they do not restrict his authority as governor.
Alhaji Musa, Chairman of the International Commission on Human Rights, Ecology and Maritime Affairs for Africa, expressed concerns over the recommendations made at the meeting. He therefore advises the governor to put together a team of credible advisors to help him make the right decisions, so as not to compromise his authority as governor of the state.
Musa also says some of the participants at the meeting in Abuja would probably not have agreed to implement these recommendations if they were in the governor’s shoes. He even believes that some of these recommendations seem to be a trap.
To support his point of view, Musa brings up the example of the political crisis in Ondo State. After a first meeting with the president on the political situation in this state and the resulting decisions, local political actors failed to implement them. So they had to organize another meeting to find a suitable solution.
Musa also points out that it would be wise for the governor to comply with the constitution in certain cases, such as the departure of MPs who have changed political parties or the resignation of some commissioners. He insists that voters’ sentiments must also be taken into account when making decisions.
As a human rights activist, Musa says rendering an elected governor powerless is not acceptable. He believes that the rights of voters have been violated and that the resolution adopted is erroneous. He does not think the President himself or influential political figures like Tinubu would agree to such a resolution.
Musa considers this resolution a strategy to weaken the governor and take away control of his state. He therefore calls for the protection of the mandate that was entrusted to the governor and the application of the constitution in resolving the political crisis.
He concluded by also criticizing the request to recall the resigning commissioners, saying it is not appropriate and empowers those who oppose the governor.
This position highlights the complexity of the political situation in Rivers State and the importance of the governor making informed decisions that respect both the constitution and the will of the voters. This also shows the importance of adequate consultations and advice to achieve a peaceful and just resolution of the political crisis in the state.