THE Tinubu Media Support Group (TMSG) says the restored harmony between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly has vindicated President Tinubu’s decision to declare emergency rule in the state.
This was contained in a statement signed by the group’s Chairman, Mr Emeka Nwankpa, and Secretary, Mr Dapo Okubanjo, in Abuja yesterday, Tuesday.
According to TMSG, the public assurance of a good working relationship by both governor and lawmakers sharply contrasts with their earlier hard-line positions prior to the presidential proclamation of March 8 emergency rule.
The group noted that, although some political actors and elder statesmen dismissed Tinubu’s decision to lift the emergency rule as inconsequential, subsequent developments have proved otherwise.
“It is a good development that the governor and members of the House of Assembly, whose actions led to the proclamation, now appear to have seen things from a different perspective,” the statement read.
TMSG added that the governor’s broadcast and lawmakers’ comments upon resumption of plenary clearly showed a new spirit of harmony between both arms of government.
“This new development, for us, is a far cry from the politically toxic situation that compelled President Tinubu to declare a state of emergency. It is a major pushback from the tipping moment of looming crisis when both parties held on to their entrenched positions in spite of a court ruling,” it said.
The group described as disingenuous the claims of opposition elements that there was no basis for declaring emergency rule in Rivers, a state hosting a significant portion of Nigeria’s oil infrastructure.
It urged Nigerians to take note of Governor Fubara’s own acknowledgement of Tinubu’s “noble role” in brokering peace during the period of emergency rule.
“The implication is that it was within the period of the emergency rule that peace was brokered, contrary to the position of those who insisted that there was no basis for the proclamation,” TMSG explained.
The group expressed hope that all parties would learn from the crisis and work to ensure lasting peace and stability in the state.
(NAN)