The Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU) has for the umpteenth time appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to lift the prevailing state of emergency in Rivers State and restore democracy in the State, with all functional democratic institutions in place.
The Rivers State Chairman of NCSU, Comrade Chukwuka Richman Osumah, who made the appeal in an interview in Port Harcourt, the state capital said the NCSU is making the appeal against the backdrop of having seriously and massively campaigned for the President under the umbrella of Tinubu Success Support Group, which transformed from Buhari Support Group and headed by Prof Ezeh and Late Chief Alagoa, whose wife still play active roles in support of the President.
He explained that President Tinubu should also not forget in a hurry the positive roles the NCSU has played in the progress, growth and development of the nation, being the oldest trade union in the country.
According to him, the union is coming out strong to make the appeal to the President to restore democratic governance in the State, because of the political and socio-economic toll the state of emergency is taking on the State and the people.
The union chairman further explained that with the prevailing state of emergency, Rivers State is literally at a standstill on all fronts at the moment, as nothing seems to be working in the State.
He said it is rather painful and pitiful that Rivers State, renowned for her economic viability and social boisterousness and savvy, due to her abundant human and natural resources, particularly in terms of the oil and gas deposits the State is blessed with, has been reduced to nothingness by the emergency rule, while the people themselves have been deprived of the dividends of democracy which the administration of Sir Siminalayi Fubara had been providing to them in good measures.
Osumah regretted the recent comments credited to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike concerning the ongoing peace process geared towards resolving the intractable political crisis rocking the State, contending that such comments do not convey positive signals and a glimmer of hope to Rivers people that the political travails bedeviling the State would soon be over.
He therefore appealed to the FCT Minister, Chief Wike to show and demonstrate uncommon statesmanship, patriotism, and diplomacy, both in his words and actions.
He said it is also unfortunate and unthinkable that Wike would still be talking tough, in spite of the fact that the suspended Governor has personally shown enough penitence, remorse and humility, by not only visiting the Minister at his Abuja residence in company of two other Governors, but also making several other overtures, as a way of brokering and bringing about the much-needed peace in the State.
He noted that the Minister would have shown more maturity and tactfulness in handling his rift with his estranged political godson, by discussing with the suspended Governor in private, during their last meeting, and equally spelling out the terms of peace and settlement, instead of taking such a sensitive matter to the public glare, through the media, contending that some of the comments made by the Minister during his recent media chat, are capable of aggravating the political crisis rocking the State, rather than abating, resolving it and soothing frayed nerves.
He said the reported meeting between President Tinubu and Fubara in far away London had apparently set the tone for political rapprochement, as it had raised the hopes and expectations of the people that amicable resolution of the political crisis was in sight.
Osumah noted that it is in that same light and spirit that the NCSU is calling on President Tinubu to act fast, by taking practical steps to restore democratic governance in Rivers State, saying, if Chief Wike is truly open to peace, he is expected to be the one to take the lead, as a way of reciprocating Fubara’s peace overtures, by advising members of the Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to him, to sheathe their swords, and put to rest the lingering political crisis, in order to move the embattled State forward.
He said the NCSU, as the oldest and arguably the largest trade union in the country, is not only a rallying point but also a dependable ally and partner of the Federal Government, considering the tremendous contributions of the union in nation building, which he said should guide and positively influence President Tinubu to resolve the Rivers political crisis once and for all, thus, paving the way for restoration of democratic governance in the State.
According to him, restoring democracy in the State would not only go a long way in addressing but also remedying and correcting the monumental criticisms and horrendous backlash that trailed the Tinubu administration in the wake of the state of emergency declaration in Rivers State.
He, therefore, urged President Tinubu to close that ugly chapter of his administration as well as correct the negative narrative of the emergency rule by doing the needful now.
