Ahead of this year’s Democracy Day, Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide had appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to restore full democratic governance to Rivers State by reinstating suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and members of the Rivers Assembly on or before June 12th, 2025.
The council appeal was contained in a statement titled: “On the Imperative of restoring Governor Sim Fubara and Other Democratically Elected Lawmakers Before June 12” by its President, Dr. Alaye Tari Theophilus, in Abuja on Tuesday.
The council said its request was guided by the spirit of the season and in acknowledgment of the president’s commitment to restoration constitutional order in the state.
The statement reads: “As we approach June 12th—Nigeria’s Democracy Day—the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide extends a solemn reminder of what this date represents: the triumph of the people’s will, the sanctity of the ballot, and the resilience of our democratic journey.
“It is in this spirit that we acknowledge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reported commitment to restoring constitutional order in Rivers State by reinstating Governor Siminalayi Fubara and all duly elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly on or before June 12th, 2025. This promise must not be taken lightly, nor should it be seen as a mere political concession—it is a necessary act of justice and statesmanship.
Governor Sim Fubara was elected by the people of Rivers State through a transparent and democratic process. Any disruption to that mandate undermines not just the will of the Rivers people but the very foundation upon which our democracy stands.
“Similarly, the sidelining of elected lawmakers erodes public trust in governance and sets a dangerous precedent that Nigeria can not afford.”
The council further that the Ijaw Nation is a gathering of peaceful and patient people who strongly believe in dialogue and defense of their democratic rights.
The council appealed that “June 12 is not just a date—it is a symbol. We therefore call on President Tinubu, as a foremost beneficiary and icon of Nigeria’s democratic evolution, to seize this moment and fulfill his promise. The restoration of Governor Fubara and the assembly members will reaffirm Nigeria’s commitment to the rule of law and heal the wounds of division that have emerged in recent times.
“Let this Democracy Day be remembered not just as a celebration, but as a turning point. A moment when justice was served, peace was restored, and democracy prevailed.
“We call on all lovers of democracy—within and outside Nigeria—to stand with us in this just cause.”
Source; The Nation
