Lagos, Nigeria
Babatunde Fashola, former minister of work says resolving the ongoing political tensions in Ondo and Rivers states is not the job of President Bola Tinubu as the constitution doesn’t give room for such.
Fashola who spoke at the Nigerian Air Force Officers Mess Honourary Members Forum 2023 Annual Lecture held in Lagos on Saturday asked: “Does the Constitution assign a role to the President in this matter?”
There have been many calls for the president to intervene in the crisis but Fashola said the constitution clearly outlines the proper procedures and roles of officials in such situations.
“Are those inviting the President to act in Ondo and Rivers states not aware that the President has no constitutional role in these matters?” he asked again.
The former Lagos state governor went on to praise the “blue blood Ondo indigenes” who pushed for law and constitutionality in their state’s recent crisis before the governor’s letter restored calm.
“Happily, in our Ondo case, some blue-blood Ondo indigenes have stood up to be counted. But they are in an obvious minority,” he stated.
According to Fashola, going forward, the “leadership in Rivers State” similarly needs to “do the needful” rather than pass responsibility.
He argued that citizens must also “amend ourselves” and take accountability rather than improperly demanding presidential action.
“We have amended the constitution, so what is left to amend, except ourselves?” he concluded.
