The Robinson Ewor led Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) in Rivers State has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to use his presidential powers to prevent the seizure of the state’s allocation.
This call comes amidst rising tensions in the state, with the PDP alleging that the war against the state is state-sponsored.
In a press conference held on Tuesday, in Port Harcourt the PDP urged President Tinubu to advise his appointees to stop using federal agencies, including the judiciary, as tools of intimidation.
The party warned that stopping the federal allocation to the state would be a recipe for anarchy, effectively shutting down governance and denying citizens, including civil servants, their livelihood.
The PDP cited the example of US President Donald Trump, who intervened using presidential powers to override a Supreme Court judgment banning TikTok.
The party urged President Tinubu to take similar action, despite the Supreme Court judgment, to ensure that Rivers State’s allocation is not seized.
He said: “He said: “To our dear President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the war against our state is state sponsored, we therefore implore you to advice your appointees to stop weaponization of federal agencies, including the judiciary.
“There is enough insecurity in the country, there is no point creating one in our dear peaceful state, Rivers. Stopping the federal Allocation to the state is a call to anarchy. What it is simply means is shutting down Governance in the state, denying citizens, including civil servants of livelihood.
“Remember, laws are made for men, and not men made for law. Therefore we call you (our president), that inspite of the Supreme Court Judgment, you use your presidential powers to ensure that Rivers Allocation is not seized. President Donald Trump demonstrated it in the United States when the Supreme Court rule that TIKTOK be banned. Trump intervened using presidential powers, and today Tiktok is operating in the United States of America.”
The PDP’s appeal to President Tinubu highlights the growing concerns about the potential consequences of seizing the state’s allocation.
Also, the party appealed to former Governor and current Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, to ensure peace and a good working relationship between the Executive and Legislative arms of government in the state.
They urged Wike to leverage his experience as a former Governor to promote harmony in the state.
The party also called on Governor Siminalayi Fubara to fully implement the Supreme Court judgment, which includes conducting local government elections, allowing the full sitting of the 32-member House of Assembly, and re-presenting the 2025 Appropriation Bill.
They commended Governor Fubara for already dissolving the 23 local government councils and fixing a fresh election for August 9, 2025.
They added that the governor has also allowed the House of Assembly to sit with Rt. Hon Martins Amaewhule presiding as Speaker.
The PDP urged Governor Fubara to keep his commitment to represent the 2025 budget on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, despite being denied access to the House of Assembly during his first attempt. The party expressed optimism that the governor’s efforts to present the budget would be successful this time around.
The party also advised Governor Fubara to ignore the impeachment notice served to him and his deputy, as it is not part of the Supreme Court judgment.
The PDP described the impeachment notice as a distraction and a attempt to undermine the governor’s authority.
In a separate appeal, the PDP called on Rt. Hon Martins Amaewhule and the 26 other lawmakers to embrace peace and work towards the full implementation of the Supreme Court judgment.
The party specifically urged Amaewhule to Work towards the full implementation of the Supreme Court judgment and avoid actions that could undermine the peace and stability of the state.
The party urged the lawmakers to Play a key role in the forthcoming local government election and ensure that the process is free and fair.
Also, to Accept the representation of the 2025 Appropriation Bill by the Governor on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, and avoid any actions that could disrupt the presentation.
They also advise Amaewhule to Drop the impeachment notice served to the Governor and his Deputy, as it is not part of the Supreme Court judgment and could undermine the stability of the state.
