President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday stressed the need for adherence to the rule of law in Rivers State.
The President made the call at a meeting with representatives and leaders of the Niger Delta under the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He reiterated that respect for the judiciary was crucial in upholding democracy and fostering harmony.
He advised the leaders to be more broadminded, selfless, and focused on the larger vision of salvaging the region politically and economically by insisting that the judiciary’s interpretations of the constitution be respected.
Tinubu said: “I am here by the grace of God, appreciating your support, prayers and concern. I cannot complain. I campaigned for this position and begged for the job. I must do it with all my heart, whatever it takes.
“I will make sure we achieve our promises and goals.
“Nigeria is a great country. To some cabinet members here, from outside looking in and inside looking out, we have been doing our best to give Nigeria a re-bounce, a reset and a recalibration of the economic fortune.”
According to Tinubu, the Niger Delta is the goose that lays the golden egg, hence, we must care for the goose; otherwise, we lose the golden egg.
“I got your signal and your concern, particularly on Rivers. I have been on the issue for quite some time. I foresaw the crisis festering for too long before I intervened.
“We reached an agreement, written agreement, and both parties signed.” The President said stakeholders must make sacrifices for the state to move forward by recognising the constitution.
“This is a nation governed by the rule of law. I should not be here as President without a rule of law. I have total confidence in our judiciary. We have expectations. Human beings can make errors. But once the court has spoken, that is it.
“Please go back home and help implement the court’s rulings within the shortest possible time. I am putting the ball in your court. Help! Intervene privately and openly and counsel the governor. Pursue the path of peace and stability,” he added.
The President told the delegation that his priority remained community development, particularly projects and programmes that positively impacted citizens.
“Go back home and take charge of peace. If you need me, let me know. I have given the situation enough time and enough consideration. We cannot fall back, and we will not.
“The people of Rivers will not suffer because of democracy. We worked together on it. They will not suffer. They must be protected,” he concluded.
The call is the President’s attempt to resolve the protracted political crisis in Rivers State.
Tinubu met the Rivers State Governor, Siminilayi Fubara, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and other parties in the dispute in December 2023.
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