The leadership of the D-Young Elite Advocacy Forum(D-YEAF) has poured encomiums on the Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara on the monumental achievements of his administration within the past one year in office.
This is even as it has called on the chairmen of local government councils in the State to give peace a chance, and honourably bow out of office at the expiration of their tenure on June17, 2024.

The forum, which gave the indication in a statement signed by its Coordinator, Mr Opurum Loveday; and its Secretary, Mr Bright Nnadi, noted that Governor Fubara has so far demonstrated courage, steadfastness, determination and peaceful disposition towards governance, even in the face of political affronts and provocative political utterances by some individuals in the State.

“This rare attribute of His Excellency is worthy of commendation and emulation. You have not only shown inspirational leadership but very high level of humility and tolerance which is a major attribute of an outstanding leader”, it said.

The group also applauded the Governor’s detailed, expository and chronological presentation of his account of stewardship and performance report, during the one year in office celebration of his administration, describing it as a democratic testament which must be treasured by all lovers of democracy, political advancement and transparent leadership.

It further indicated that the forum is very pleased with Governor Fubara’s leadership and development strides, going by the quality of projects being commissioned and flagged off by his administration across the length and breadth of the State, adding that the Governor has, indeed, proven and shown his willingness and commitment in delivering quality service and projects to the people of the State.

“In view of the above, the entire members of D-YEAF, in solidarity with the good people of Rivers State are not only happy with your performance in the last one year in office but have consciously resolved to pledge their support and commitment to the government of the State and your administration for a more prosperous State and development of the youths in particular”, it said.

Against this backdrop, therefore, D-YEAF urged Governor Fubara not to be distracted or feel weak but to remain strong and focused in his resolve to defend democracy, sustain the mandate given to him by the fathers of democracy and the entire Rivers people, as well as continuously uphold the tenets of good, productive, impactful development and people-oriented governance, as always advocated by him.

The forum equally urged outgoing chairmen of local government councils in the State not to expose the youths and the people to needless political crisis by their negative utterances, instigating some youths and publicly blowing the trumpet of war, which it noted are capable of breaching the existing peace in the State.

“Attempting to disobey the rule of law, as their tenure elapses this June would be the height of dishonour both to their person and the exalted office they occupy”, the group said.

According to the forum, there is no justification that the council chairmen would remain in office beyond June 17, 2024.It, therefore, condemned in strong terms unguarded utterances credited to some of the council chairmen, particularly those of the Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Council, Engr Samuel Nwanosike.

“As a group of young elites, we specifically appeal to the Ikwerre Local Government Chairman to reconsider his position before June 17,2024, by following and obeying the rule of law, and not to maintain a stance that would expose our youths to political crisis.At this critical point in our political history as a State, all council chairmen must show high sense of responsibility, rationality, pragmatism, administrative competence and political maturity, which we believe they have”, it said.

According to the forum, what Rivers people need now is the voice of progress, advancement, unity, peace, equity, justice, equal rights and sustenance of our democratic heritage as a people.

The group advised the political class to regurgitate the eternal political words of former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, which eschew political violence and bloodshed because as D-YEAF puts it, no politician’s ambition, aspiration and interest are worth the blood of any Nigerian.

In the face of the political crisis currently rocking the State, the forum advised the State government under the watch of Governor Fubara to rise stoutly and firmly to guarantee the safety of lives and properties in the State, particularly in the coming days when the tenure of council chairmen will elapse.

It also reiterated the need for the council chairmen to honourably bow out of office at the expiration of their tenure instead of becoming the instrument for the destruction and destabilisation of the State and the society.

The group appealed to the youths not to allow themselves to be used by political gladiators in the State to cause chaos and the breakdown of law and order but to solidly and consistently oppose illegality, while at the same time defending democracy and upholding the rule of law.

The forum, however, paid glowing tributes to leaders and founders of democracy in the State like Dr Peter Odili, Chief Rufus Ada-George, Sir Celestine Omehia, Senator John Azuta Mbata and a host of others for the roles they are playing to stabilise the polity.

By standing with Governor Fubara and supporting his administration, the forum said Senator Mbata in particular has shown that the feud between the Governor and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike has no ethnic undertone, and therefore, should not be given ethnic colouration.

The group also commended the Rivers State Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria(NYCN), Hon Chijioke Ihunwo for his steadfastness, consistency and practical commitment to the defence of democracy.