19 hours Ago By Guardian Nigeria
• Warns errant chiefs over Nembe community conflicts Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, has said his administration would always abide by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in respecting the fundamental rights of individuals but must ensure that the prevailing peace and security of the state is not compromised. Diri stated this yesterday at the 158th State Executive Council meeting in the Government House, Yenagoa. The governor explained that the administration would not stop any group from holding rallies in the state, emphasising that it would be unwise and counter-productive at a time when lasting peace is being sought to address the political crisis in Rivers State.
He noted that Rivers and Bayelsa are sister states and that whatever happened in Rivers had a ripple effect in Bayelsa. Diri, therefore, enjoined well-meaning Bayelsans to work with the government in maintaining law and order in the state. His words: “Let me make this clear.
We are not a government that goes against the rule of law. We cherish and protect the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. And in so doing, we abide by every bit of the Constitution.
“A state of emergency has been imposed on Rivers State. President Bola Tinubu has the power to do so. All we can do from our end is to see how we can bring lasting peace to Rivers State.
” The governor noted that the proper protocol for such rallies should be followed by first informing the state government, just as the wife of the President had done before she visited the state today on the invitation of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). He urged people of the state to turn out en masse to accord the First Lady a rousing reception. Meanwhile, while receiving the interim report of the steering committee on the resolution of the protracted crisis in the Bassambiri community in Nembe Local Council of the state, Diri warned that any errant chief not ready for peace would be disrobed.
The Chairman, Vice Admiral Victor Ombu (rtd), presented the report during the 158th session of the state executive council meeting in the Government House, Yenagoa. Ombu, who was a former Chief of the Naval Staff, said the committee was inaugurated six months ago, on September 10, 2024, with a mandate to bring lasting and sustainable peace to Brassambiri. He said the panel looked into the remote and immediate causes of the community’s prolonged crisis, conducted interviews and received memoranda, and visited some sites to see damaged property.
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