Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) under the auspices of the South-South Physically Challenged Indigenes (SSPCI) have vowed to reconcile the political differences between the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, Chief Nyesom Wike and the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara.
They said they would set up a five-member committee to facilitate reconciliation required to restore democracy in the state.
Speaking in Port Harcourt on Friday, the Executive Chairman, SSPCI Rivers State Chapter, Altraide Etekena lamented that the prolonged crisis had destabilised governance and negatively affected PWDs in the state.
He said that the committee would engage key stakeholders, including the Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), the leadership of the House of Representatives, the Senate, and President Tinubu, to stop any plot to extend the State of Emergency in Rivers.
He insisted that the emergency rule should not exceed the stipulated six-month period.
He said: “We will establish a five-member PWD committee to facilitate reconciliation between Governor Siminalaiye Fubara, his legislative colleagues, and Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike.
“This committee will also engage with Sole Administrator Ibas, the leadership of the House of Representatives, the Senate, and President Tinubu to advocate against the extension of the emergency rule in our dear State.”
Etekena urged Ibas to remain neutral in the peace restoration process and ensure that PWDs were included in his administration as special beneficiaries
He emphasised that the call for inclusivity underscored their commitment to promoting the rights and interests of PWDs in governance.
He, however, expressed their willingness to work with and support the appointment of Ibas, citing his proven track record of excellence in leadership and development.
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He said: “We urge Sole Administrator Ibas to ensure that he remains unbiased in his responsibility. And that PWD are included in his protem administration, and are recognized as special beneficiaries.
“We acknowledge President Tinubu’s declaration of a State of Emergency, and the suspension of the Legislature and Executive in Rivers State, provided it does not exceed the stipulated six-month period.
“We urge President Tinubu to undertake a genuine overhaul of the Nigerian judicial system to meet public expectations.
“We call upon the NBA to fulfill its role as a vigilant watchdog of the judicial system and governance. The issues in Rivers State could have been mitigated if the NBA had been proactive rather than focused solely on revenue generation and ill-aggrandizement.
“We have unanimously resolved to work and support the appointment of the sole administrator in achieving presidential mandate as well as fostering peace, harmonious and constitutional relations between the worrying arms of government in Rivers State.
“As a community, we believe in the capabilities of the Sole Administrator Ibas given to his proven track records of excellence in leadership and development. We further support all appointments made by himas they target effective governance during the declared emergency rule.”