Newsletter to Rivers people by Tony Okocha
The All Progressives Congress in Rivers State has posed a question in a thought provoking newsletter to Rivers people “Quo Vadis rivers state? Where several issues that are affecting the state were highlighted and also urged them to make fair judgment based on what is right.
The letter which was signed by the APC chairman and leader, Sir (Chief) Tony C. Okocha on Monday, highlighted key constitutional provisions from the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, particularly focusing on Sections 120 and 122, which govern the powers and control over public funds.
He emphasized the importance of adhering to these legal frameworks to ensure transparency and accountability in the state’s financial management.
The newsletter furthered by pointing out a significant Federal High Court judgment delivered by Justice J.K. Omotosho on January 22, 2024. The ruling addressed multiple issues, including the legitimacy of the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, the Clerk of the House, and the imposition of Edison Ehie as Speaker. The judgment, entered in favor of the plaintiffs in suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1613/2023, declared the actions of the Assembly null and void, thereby challenging the legality of the budget presented to an illegitimate assembly.
Okocha urged readers to review the court’s decision and the subsequent order by the Court of Appeal on July 4, 2024, which further reinforced the Federal High Court’s stance. “It is hereby ordered that this appeal has merit and it is hereby allowed,” the appellate court stated, striking out the suit and restoring the status quo ante bellum, meaning the state of affairs before the onset of hostilities.
Okocha posed several questions to the people of Rivers State and the questions centers around the concern: “Where is Rivers State going?” Okocha concluded by cautioning against irredentism and revisionism, urging the state’s leaders to heed the judgments and embrace peace.
He called on Governor Fubara to distance himself from divisive counsels and work towards restoring the state’s lost glory.”In same wise, Governor Fubara should make himself unavailable to the “rehoboamic” counsels of kingdom breakers”.
