Giving Peace A Chance In Rivers State

The ex-parte order given by Hon. Justice Charles Wali asking the 27 pro-Wike members of Rivers State House of Assembly led by Martin Amaewhule to stop parading themselves as lawmakers in the state brought a stabilizing effect on the political situation in Rivers State. By giving recognition to Hon. Victor Oko Jumbo as the authentic speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, the order created room for a smooth relationship between the executive and legislative arms of government in the state.
While many people are still reflecting on the jurisprudential plank used to arrive at the ex parte order, the compelling argument in support of the order is that the 27 lawmakers led by Martins Amaewhule lost their seats after they defected from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on whose platform they were elected into the House of Assembly to the All Progressives Congress, APC.
It is therefore imperative at this stage that those who wish peace for Rivers State and the stability it needs to develop its infrastructure and bring the dividends of governance to the doorsteps of the citizens should give peace a chance, obey the orders of the court and seek to resolve their differences according to the rule of law.
For too long the political crisis in the state has lingered despite the intervention of well meaning Nigerians, including the person of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Ahmed Tinubu. Politics should not be self-serving or an end in itself. It should serve to always find the best means of bringing about good governance, accountability and responsive leadership.
Fortunately, the Constitution itself provides for means by which aggrieved parties can seek redress and correct injustice done to them.
The stage is also open to the executive arm of government in the state led by the governor to be broadminded and carry out its duties to the people without letting trivial politics to get in the way of running the affairs of the state.
It is heartwarming that members of the executive council, who had felt uncomfortable in their positions have opted to resign, giving room for the governor to nominate and appoint members of the state executive council that he can freely work with.
The nomination and inauguration of a new Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, whose confirmation was promptly done after screening by the Oko-Jumbo-led legislature fall within the spirit of cordial relationship between the three arms of government. This has paved the way for new political nominees to be appointed to help the governor carry on with the demands of governance.
The average man on the street in Port Harcourt is not interested in the political fisticuffs and shadow-boxing that has been the order of the day. What the people of the state want is an atmosphere of peace devoid of vitriol and toxins that would pave way for the continuous rapid development of the state, especially in areas that have not tasted the sweet fruit of development.