A former member of the Federal House of Representatives from Bayelsa State, Hon. Israel Sunny-Goli, has urged Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, to exercise caution in his statements and actions to avoid sparking unnecessary tension and unrest in the state.
In a statement, Sunny-Goli emphasized that instead of fueling unrest, Fubara should fully comply with the Supreme Court’s pronouncement, which recognized the Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule-led assembly.
He called for the governor to prioritize the peace and stability of Rivers State by adhering to the court’s directives and ensuring a smooth transition of council leadership.
Sunny-Goli, who is also a traditional ruler, the Kemmer V Amadabo of Kemmer-Ama in Brass Local Government of Bayelsa State, urged Fubara to avoid any actions that might lead to chaos.
He noted that the recent Supreme Court ruling had provided clarity on the leadership issue in the Rivers State House of Assembly and resolved the political crisis surrounding local government administration.
“The recent ruling of the Supreme Court regarding the political imbroglio in Rivers State has brought an end to the protracted leadership tussle in the Rivers State House of Assembly and provided the much-needed clarity on the status of the local government administration,” Sunny-Goli said.
“As a society practising constitutional democracy, we are governed by the rule of law. This makes every judgment and pronouncement from our revered judiciary binding on us, no matter our status or how unpalatable we find them, especially those from the apex court,” he added.
Sunny-Goli stressed the importance of peace and called for Fubara to make stability in the state a top priority. “I urge the governor to make the peace and stability of Rivers State a topmost priority by adhering to the court’s directives and ensuring that the transition of council leadership is conducted smoothly and without incident,” he said.
He further called on all stakeholders in Rivers State, including political leaders, community leaders, and citizens, to remain calm and support the peaceful implementation of the Supreme Court’s decision. Sunny-Goli also appealed to parents in Rivers and other Niger Delta states to prevent their children from being recruited as political thugs and involved in any violence.
“I implore all parents in Rivers State to prevail on their children not to allow themselves to be recruited and used as cannon fodders in a needless and avoidable crisis. Those seeking to set the state on fire should be told to recruit members of their family and loved ones if they are convinced of its propriety,” Sunny-Goli added.
