Rt. Hon. Leyii Kwanee, the former Deputy Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, has called on Governor Siminalayi Fubara to utilize constitutional provisions to address individuals or groups inciting political unrest in the state.
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In his statement, Kwanee also urged state elders and leaders to denounce the actions of certain politicians who are intent on causing unnecessary tension and undermining the democratic process in Rivers State.
This call comes in response to the recent turmoil stemming from the extension of local government chairmen’s tenure.
Kwanee criticized the actions of former Speaker Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule and 26 other lawmakers for hastily enacting Law No. 2 of 2024, which sought to extend the tenure of the outgoing council chairmen.
“I have observed the avoidable escalation of political crisis that has plagued our state for nearly a year, particularly the uproar caused by the so-called tenure extension for outgoing council chairmen. The constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, is superior to any lower-level government law. The constitution is supreme,” Kwanee stated.
He highlighted that Section 7(1) of the constitution mandates the system of local government by democratically elected councils, with a defined tenure.
Kwanee argued that Law No. 2 of 2024, enacted by the sacked 27 lawmakers, was not valid as their seats had already been declared vacant by a competent court.
Kwanee, who was the governorship candidate for the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) in the 2023 elections, urged the outgoing council chairmen to respect the constitution and acknowledge that their tenure ended at midnight on Monday, June 17.
He emphasized that there remains an opportunity for some to seek a second term.
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He commended Governor Fubara for maintaining a peaceful stance amidst these challenges and called on state leaders to condemn the rising crisis and encourage those responsible to seek peace for the state’s development.
“If these provocateurs continue to defy good counsel and disrupt the state, I urge the Governor to invoke necessary constitutional measures to address these enemies of the state, regardless of their status,” Kwanee concluded.
