Nwanyanwu urges Tinubu to curb political crisis in Rivers, Osun, Lagos

The National Chairman of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Chief Dan Nwanyanwu, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take immediate action to prevent what he described as a growing threat to Nigeria’s democratic system.

He warned that political conflicts in Rivers, Osun, and Lagos States could destabilize the country if left unchecked.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Sunday, Nwanyanwu’s remarks were contained in a statement released by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Khalid Arewa.

He stressed the urgent need for President Tinubu to intervene before the political crises escalate beyond control.

The ZLP chairman expressed concern over the increasing wave of political discord in Rivers, Osun, and Lagos, which he attributed to actions allegedly carried out by individuals close to the president.

“We of ZLP sincerely bemoan the ugly and anti-democratic developments in Rivers, Osun, and Lagos States. We call on President Tinubu to halt the less-than-melodic music forthwith, especially when it is allegedly emanating from his political surrogates – Ministers Nyesom Wike, Oyetola, and Honourable Obasa of the Lagos State House of Assembly,” Nwanyanwu stated.

He further cautioned against a return to the violent political turmoil of Nigeria’s past, referencing the infamous “Wild Wild West” crisis that plagued the Western Region in the First Republic.

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He also warned that Rivers State could face renewed militancy if the political instability persists.

One of the major political controversies highlighted by Nwanyanwu was the defection of 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly from the political party that sponsored their election to another party.

He questioned the legality of their continued stay in office, particularly in the absence of a faction within their former party at the national level.

“What is the legal status of the 27 members of the Rivers Assembly who defected from the party that sponsored their elections to another political party, even when there is no division at the national level? And what is the effect of the affidavit they swore to, admitting their defection?” he asked.

Nwanyanwu further accused the lawmakers of attempting to manipulate the legal system to maintain their positions despite their defection.

“As if that was not enough, attempts are now being made to withdraw the same affidavit sworn to by them in order to enable them to eat their cake and still have it. It is common sense that they have left their political party by the very acts they carried out in December 2023,” he said.

He insisted that the lawmakers’ public declarations, video recordings, and the official reception organized by their new party all serve as undeniable evidence of their defection.

He also linked the defection crisis to the withholding of funds meant for Rivers State, a situation he said was fueling further political instability.

The ZLP chairman lamented what he described as an increasing abuse of political privilege and called on Nigerians to speak out against the growing threats to democracy.

“Abuse of privilege and opportunities has now become the order of the day. And we cannot all keep quiet,” he said.

Drawing on historical references, Nwanyanwu reminded Nigerians of the struggle to restore democracy in the 1990s and accused certain political actors of benefiting from a system they never fought for.

“Recall when you and I were struggling for the survival of democracy in 1993 in Late M.K.O. Abiola’s house as our meeting point. These characters were not near or close to you in the struggle,” he stated.

He emphasized that Nigeria’s democratic system is in jeopardy and that urgent intervention by President Tinubu is required.

“In sum, the ZLP submits that the intervention of Mr. President is very urgent because we live in a region where democracy is regrettably in recession. This is how the political crisis of the Wild Wild West started,” he added.

Nwanyanwu warned of dire economic consequences should the political unrest in Rivers State lead to the impeachment of Governor Siminalayi Fubara in a manner perceived as unjust.

“Imagine the unintended consequences if, in a less-than-transparent manner, His Excellency Sim Fubara, Governor of Rivers State, is impeached and, in reaction, Ijaw youths start sabotaging oil flow? The economic consequences would be catastrophic,” he warned.

He also criticized the withholding of local government funds, stating that such actions were ironic given that they were happening under President Tinubu’s leadership.

“Is it not an irony that the withholding of local government funds under whatever legal forum shopping is happening under President Tinubu?” Nwanyanwu asked.