Politics
Rivers Political Tension Will Be Resolved Peacefully – Fubara
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured that the recent tension in the State occasioned by some political events will be doused and every contending issues amicably resolved for the State to move forward.
Governor Fubara gave the assurance while addressing the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa and his entourage who paid him a courtesy call at the Executive Council Chambers of Government House, Port Harcourt, last Wednesday.
The Governor described what transpired in the State as “an internal issue and disagreement between father and son” that will be duly resolved through internal mechanism.
He commended the efforts of the military and police in providing security and maintaining law and order in Rivers State.
The Governor pledged the partnership of the State with the military to ensure a better Rivers State and promote the unity of Nigeria.
Governor Fubara called on the military to be professional and apolitical during the off-season elections to ensure that the people’s votes count.
”The President has a ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ which is based on freedom and fairness. That’s the major reason why he has commissioned the Chief of Defence Staff to ensure that this election is conducted in a manner that the people can exercise their civic rights. I want to thank you for taking this pain to go to all the States that are having these elections in a couple of days, and to put all the right things in place. I strongly believe that these off season elections will be one of the best”, he said.
On his part, General Musa assured the Rivers State Governor that the military will not renege on their statutory mandate to maintain peace and preserve the unity of Nigeria.
The Chief of Defence Staff, who acknowledged the strategic importance and contributions of Rivers State to Nigeria’s economic development, gave assurance of the protection of the nation’s assets and check the menace of crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism.
The Governor, also in a press statement, thanked the President Bola Tinubu for his effort in nipping the threatening political crisis in the bud.
He apologised to Rivers people and reassured them of his commitment to peace and development of the State.
The statement reads in part: “I wish to thank the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his fatherly intervention which opened a series of communication channels to facilitate the timely resolution of the festering crises. I wish to also thank our Elders who are currently intervening in the matter.
“Let me clearly State that my actions are aimed at restoring peace and stability in our State. I am a man of peace and as governor, the advancement of our State is my primary concern. Consequently, no sacrifice is too much for me to make to achieve this objective.
“Furthermore, it is the collective responsibility of the immediate past Governor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, His Excellency, Chief Barrister, Nyesom Wike, GSSRS, Life Bencher and my humble self, to leverage on our positions and influences within and outside the State to advance the progress, security and well-being of our people.
“We must therefore not allow circumstance that could retard all efforts at achieving greatness for our people to prevail.
“On my part, I am always willing and ready to embrace the path to lasting peace and tranquility with a commitment to consummating all efforts and initiatives by Mr. President and other well meaning Nigerians, including my brother Governors and the Elders.
“I assure the good people and youths of Rivers State that peace will certainly prevail and we shall continue to work together to advance the peace, security, progress and development of our State.
“As Governor, I sincerely apologise to the good people of Rivers State for the regrettable anxieties of the last few days, while thanking you all for your concerns, and continued support, love, and prayers.”
By: Taneh Beemene
A grassroots organisation known as Sir Siminalayi Fubara Peace Initiative, Friends For Good Governance, has passed a confidence vote on the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara over his development strides in the state within a short time in office.
Apart from the numerous development projects embarked upon by the governor in the state, the body expressed delight over the recent payment of N85,000.00 minimum wage to civil servants in the State to reduce the economic burden of workers and their dependants.
Spokesperson of the organisation, Chief Felix Ologara, who addressed newsmen in Bori, headquarters of Khana Local Government Area described Governor Fubara’s administration as the most compassionate, peace-loving and labour-friendly in Nigeria.
Coordinator of the NGO, Comrade Felix Nnaa, also lauded the governor of Rivers State for staying focused on the development of the state despite the challenges by detractors of his administration.
The NGO also commended the newly elected local government chairmen in the state, particularly the chairman of Khana LGA, Hon Martin Nwigbo and his Tai counterpart, Hon Mathew Dike for modelling their leadership style after Governor Fubara’s in providing essential services to the people.
On his part, the Chairman of Khana Local Government Area, Hon. Martins Nwigbo, who also spoke with the press assured that his administration will give priority attention to the development of Khana, particularly in providing security, economic empowerment, human capital development and restoration of power in the area.
Former President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Professor Atuboyedia Obianime, has called for a people centred governance in Nigeria.
Prof. Obianime said this at the Rivers Liberation Summit and Awards organised by the Ijaw Wari Initiative Worldwide in Port Harcourt.
He said projects execution are good but government must come up with policies that will create employment opportunities for the people.
The former INC president particularly urged the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, to revive all moribund industries with the view to creating jobs for the teeming unemployed youths in the state and stressed the need for the revamping of the agricultural sector in the state.
Also speaking, a former chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Dr Sam Sam Jaja, said the Ijaws will never surrender their rights for any reason.
“We know where we come from and we know where we are now; we know the battle we fought and we know the battle we are still fighting and one thing is very important among us, we will never surrender our rights for any reason”, he said.
Dr Jaja said the Ijaws have been known to fight against oppression and marginalisation and commended the Ijaw Wari Initiative for complementing the INC.
“What we are doing today is to honour Ijaw sons and daughters who deserve to be honoured and of course we have one of our elderly sons to tell us what we have done in terms of pursuing leadership”, he added.
He also described the Ijaws as symbols of leadership, adding: “it starts from us and it will continue to remain with us for a long time”
Dr Jaja also declared that with an Ijaw man at the saddle of leadership in the State, the people will see a new phase of governance, adding that areas neglected will be touched, while expressing optimism that the event would equip the participants to face the challenges ahead.
In his welcome address, the president of Ijaw Wari Initiative Worldwide, Somina Wokoma, said the event was to “commemorate the October 30th, 2023, failed attempt to impeach our dear Governor which marked a turning point in our democratic journey”.
“As we converge on this epoch making occasion, we celebrate the triumph of democracy, people oriented leadership and the resilience of Rivers people”, he said.
John Bibor
A non- governmental organisation in Rivers State, the Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force ( (NDPVF), Opobo/Nkoro Chapter, has tasked Chairmen of the 23 Local Government Areas of the State to urgently focus on aggressive infrastructural and human capital development projects.
This is contained in a statement released by the group in Port Harcourt shortly after her Chapter Executive Council ( CEC) meeting in Opobo Town, and signed by its Coordinator, Commander Idawari Brown; Secretary, Comrade Success Dinne Ebranga and Public Relations Officer, Comrade Lucky Ubani.
The group urged the chairmen and councillors to be proactive in the discharge of their assignment of dispensing quality service delivery in their areas of jurisdiction and admonished them to follow the leadership example of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
“There is need for the Chairmen of various Councils in the state to ensure that they emulate the leadership style of the governor by building bridges of transformation, human capital development and youth inclusiveness in governance of their LGAs”, the statement said.
The group further admonished the chairmen of the various councils and their Councillors to put in their best in the leadership of their local areas for the well-being of the people.
“The people are in dire need of your contributions for better development bridges in terms of even distribution of development projects and programmes that will have direct- bearings on the people’s welfare and lives.
“They should include those who have what it takes to develop the areas through their contributions to move the area forward developmentally.
“We urge the chairmen of various councils and their councillors not to appoint anybody on political patronage in order to siphon the treasury of the councils.
“We would not tolerate this lackluster attitude from any council chairmen Councillors. The real thing should be done through those with leadership expertise and are ever ready to join forces with them to build a pleasant and virile Local Government Areas administration for posterity.
By: Bethel Toby