Following the ongoing face-off between the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara and the State House of Assembly, the Ijaw Nation has vowed to resist any attempt by the lawmakers to remove the governor through any means.
Addressing journalists in Port Harcourt, on Wednesday, President-General of Ijaw National Congress (INC), Prof Benjamin Okaba, said the Ijaw Nation would do everything to protect the governor against any form of harassment.
He frowned at the lack of respect for the office of the governor by the assembly members and some local council chairmen in the state.
The Ijaw leader pointed out that the governor did not need the approval of the legislature to appoint officials or members of his cabinet on acting capacity.
He warned those beating the drums of war to allow peace reign in the state as the Ijaw nation is watching would respond appropriately should anything go contrary.
“The Ijaw National Congress as the Umbrella Operative Organisation of the Ijaw Nation and as Guardians of the Socio-Political and Cultural Interest of Ijaw People Worldwide, has observed with deep dismay, the recent political wrangling in Rivers State between the Legislature and the Executive.
“The House of Assembly’s duty in civilised democracies around the world is the making of laws for the welfare, peace and good governance of the society.
“The duties of the Governor are clearly defined: governance, appointment of senior state officials in the political arm of government and thirdly, through his cabinet, to bring about infrastructural and human capital development.
“The constitution is very clear as to which officers and in what capacities clearance has to be sought. The conditions for Acting appointments are not the same as substantive ones.
“Substantive appointments need clearance, while temporary appointments are stop-gap appointments and do not need any form of clearance or approval,” he said.
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