Jonathan, Others Mount Pressure On Tinubu To Reinstate Fubara Before June 12

Former President, Goodluck Jonathan, is reportedly leading behind-the-scenes efforts to secure the reinstatement of suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, before the upcoming June 12 Democracy Day celebration.

According to credible sources who spoke with Vanguard, Jonathan has held at least one private telephone conversation with President Bola Tinubu, appealing for Fubara’s reinstatement in the spirit of national reconciliation and democratic principles.

“That is besides the concern expressed by two other former presidents,” a source familiar with the development revealed.

Sources close to the situation say that two recent visits by Fubara to the Presidential Villa were facilitated by key political actors, including Jonathan, who are believed to be working to reverse the controversial suspension.

“By the president’s body language, the governor may be returned sooner than the six months earlier announced by the president,” the source added.

President Tinubu is expected to address the nation on June 12, marking the 26th anniversary of uninterrupted democratic governance since 1999.

Naija News understands that Tinubu had, on March 18, announced a six-month suspension of Fubara from office, a move that drew widespread criticism for its alleged unconstitutionality.

Legal experts and opposition figures argued that no section of the Nigerian Constitution grants the president powers to suspend or remove a democratically elected governor outside of emergency rule declarations.

Critics cited Section 305, which allows for emergency rule without suspending an elected governor, and Section 188, which entrusts the power of removal solely to the State House of Assembly.

Despite this, the president’s decision, endorsed by the National Assembly, also affected Fubara’s deputy and several members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, most of whom were aligned with former governor Nyesom Wike, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

The crisis that led to Fubara’s ouster was the culmination of a power struggle between him and his predecessor, Wike, over the control of the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and key appointments.

There had been speculation that Tinubu would lift the suspension on May 29, during the celebration of his administration’s second anniversary. However, that did not happen. Focus has now shifted to June 12, with many Nigerians expecting a symbolic gesture on Democracy Day.

As Nigerians prepare to commemorate the legacy of June 12, 1993, and honour the sacrifices of Chief MKO Abiola, Kudirat Abiola, General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, Pa Alfred Rewane, and other pro-democracy icons, questions are being raised over the state of governance in Rivers.

President Tinubu himself, a veteran of the pro-democracy struggle, acknowledged in his 2023 June 12 broadcast, “No matter how democracy may be, it is the best form of governance in the long run.”

“As president of this nation, I am morally and constitutionally bound to preserve this precious form of governance. I vow to do my utmost best to protect your rights, freedoms, and liberties as citizens of Nigeria.”

Observers now say that commitment will be tested by his continued enforcement of emergency rule in Rivers State, where Vice Admiral Ibok-Etteh Ibas (retd.) has acted as sole administrator since March 18.

By June 18, it would be three months since Ibas assumed control of Rivers State, sidelining the elected governor. The emergency rule is set to expire in September, unless lifted earlier.

The president, who fought against military decrees and one-party authoritarianism, is now under pressure to demonstrate that his government will not perpetuate the same democratic infractions that democracy icons died resisting.

In another development, Former PDP Deputy National Chairman, Chief Bode George, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to, in the spirit of the June 12 anniversary, reinstate suspended Gov. Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers.

George made the appeal on Wednesday in an open letter to commemorate the 32nd anniversary of the June 12, 1993, election.

NAN recalls that Fubara was suspended by Tinubu on March 18 due to political tensions in the oil-rich state.

Meanwhile, Fubara visited Tinubu in Lagos during Sallah celebration.

George said, “If Tinubu could forgive Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, then he should extend same gesture to Fubara.

“On June 12, we will be celebrating Democracy Day. This is a reminder of the true meaning of democracy – the will of the people.

“Since Tinubu has forgiven Sanwo-Olu, then it makes a lot of sense, spiritually, to also forgive Fubara and let him return to office. I am talking as an elder”, he said.

George noted that Tinubu was at the forefront of those who fought the military, seeking a return to civilian rule.

The PDP chieftain said Tinubu was passionate about the return to civil rule during the military era, aspiring for top political positions in Lagos.

“He later joined NADECO to fight for democracy. Some of those who fought alongside him for democracy have died. It is not of his making that he is alive today.

“So, he should thank God, honour the memory of those who fought alongside him for democracy and return Fubara to office immediately.

“I also appeal to him, in the spirit of my maternal grand uncle who founded the first political party in Nigeria in 1922, Herbert Macaulay, to please reinstate Fubara.

“Tinubu should listen to, and honour this appeal in memory of all those who died in the journey to our democracy,” George said. (NAN)