President Bola Tinubu says political stakeholders in Rivers State must respect the Supreme Court rulings and uphold the rule of law to restore peace in the state.
According to a statement signed by his special adviser on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu made the call during a meeting on Tuesday in Abuja with leaders of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum.
According to reports, Tinubu was in a closed-door meeting with the PANDEF leaders.
“I am here by the grace of God, appreciating your support, prayers, and concern. I cannot complain. I campaigned for this position and begged for the job.
“I must do it with all my heart, whatever it takes. I will make sure we achieve our promises and goals,” Tinubu assured the delegation.
He emphasised that respect for judicial decisions is fundamental to maintaining democracy, stressing that all stakeholders must recognise and implement court rulings.
“This is a nation governed by the rule of law. I should not be here as president without a rule of law. I have total confidence in our judiciary.
“We have expectations. Human beings can make errors. But once the court has spoken, that is it,” he declared.
He then called on PANDEF leaders to take active steps in ensuring that the rulings of the courts are enforced.
“Please go back home and help implement the court rulings within the shortest possible time. I am putting the ball in your court.
“Help! Privately and openly intervene and counsel the governor. Pursue the path of peace and stability,” the president charged.
The political crisis in Rivers State has raised concerns about economic and political stability in the oil-rich Niger Delta region.
Tinubu reiterated the importance of safeguarding the prosperity of the state, likening it to “the goose that lays the golden egg.”
“Yes, the Niger Delta is the goose that lays the golden egg. We must care for the goose; otherwise, we lose the golden egg.
“I got your signal and your concern, particularly on Rivers State. I have been on the issue for quite some time. I foresaw the crisis festering for too long before I intervened.
“We reached an agreement, a written agreement, and both parties signed,” the president disclosed.
He assured the PANDEF delegation that his government would not allow Rivers people to suffer due to political conflicts.
“The people of Rivers State will not suffer because of democracy. We worked together on it. They will not suffer. They must be protected,” Tinubu vowed.
