By Suleiman Anyalewechi
Amidst the ongoing political tension occasioned by the February 28, 2025, Supreme court judgement on the festering crisis rocking Rivers State, a former Governor of the State, Chief Rufus Ada-George, has sued for restraint from all parties.
At an interactive session with the Media on Monday, March, 10, 2025, Chief George, who was Governor on the platform of the defunct National Republican Convention, NRC, in 1991, cautioned against the issuance of ultimatums, threats and incendiary remarks.
The Source reports that unease and heightened apprehension have engulfed the Rivers State political landscape following the Supreme Court’s verdict conferring legitimacy on the faction of the state House of Assembly led by Speaker Martins Amaewfule.
The Court, besides nullifying the October 5, 2024 Local Council Polls held in the State, also halted further remittance of Federal Allocations both to the State and Local Governments
While the State Government will have its funds restored after the presentation of the 2025 Appropriation Bill to the House presided over by Rt Hon Amaewfule, the Local Councils will start to receive theirs after the conduct of another Council Election.
The political temperature of the State has considerably boiled over amidst series of ultimatums from the Amaewfule- led state House of Assembly to both the Governor, his Commissioners, other political appointees, as well as the Chairman and Members of the State Independent Electoral Commission.
In return, perceived inflammatory and incendiary statements and open threats of hell on earth and the disruption of oil exploration activities have continued to emanate from the camp of Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s sympathisers and fellow Ijaw citizens.
However, former Governor Ada-George appealed to all the warring factions to place the overall interests of Rivers State above all other considerations .
He specifically urged political actors in the ongoing crisis to refrain from any acts capable of further inflaming passions and disagreements.
“Although, the Supreme Court has rendered its verdict, there is still room for humane and pragmatic decisions that can help mitigate the adverse effects of the ruling on the people .
“Political disagreements of this kind in the State, if not properly handled, could spiral out of control with far reaching consequences.
“An example was the 1962 Western Regional crisis. So there is the urgent need for all parties to explore peaceful options through negotiations.
“Even in war-torn countries and regions, negotiations still remain veritable options, and vital tool for peace building”, chief Ada George stated.
The former Governor and Elder Statesman, also, called on his colleagues in the service of Rivers State – former Governors, their Deputies ,past Legislators, both State and Federal to join hands in finding a lasting solution to the festering crisis.
Particularly, Chief Ada-George appealed to the State Lawmakers to eschew a resort to aggression, and avoid the pursuit of personal interests in the performance of their functions.
He expressed the optimism that there will be light once more at the end of the dark period.
” As the oldest Civilian Governor of Rivers state, I remain optimistic about our future. Let us embrace compromise, unity and peace as we chart a new course for our dear State”, Ada-George appealed.
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