By – Memoye Oghu (Port Harcourt)
Rivers Elders and Leaders Forum, which called for the presidential intervention in the ongoing political feud between Gov Sim Fubara of the state and his predecessor, Chief Barrister Nyesom Wike, current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have advised the executive governor to be circumspect in the implementation of the presidential proclamation.
The forum offered the advice in an open letter to the governor in reaction to the governor’s Xmas broadcast on Christmas morning which was read to the media on Wednesday in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
The letter, dated 26 December, 2023 captioned: “Peace in Galilee? An Open Letter To The Executive Governor of Rivers State ” and signed by almost all members of the forum rejected the terms of the peace accord brokered by the President, describing it as one sided, illegal and unconstitutional.
“That proclamation is actually a death sentence as it breaches all legal and constitutional rights you swore to uphold . . .”, the letter stated.
The Forum cited two instances between Israel and Palestine in which it was declared that ‘let there be peace in Galilee’ and said:
“The Forum believes that there could be peace in Port Harcourt and indeed the entire Rivers State if only your Excellency would be circumspect in your actions, measured in your engagements and have a critical mind in your review of events. Therefore Mr. Governor, you have no constitutional or
any other legal power to implement the ‘Presidential Peace Proclamation’.
“The message of Christmas is peace in Bethlehem and to the world. We, at this Forum also wish you peace in Port Harcourt and the entire Rivers State,” the letter concluded.