Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has vowed to surprise those who consider his “honest decision” to implement the presidential peace pact as a sign of weakness.
Speaking when he received members of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) from the 23 Local Government Areas of Rivers on a solidarity visit to Government House, Port Harcourt on Wednesday, Fubara said he had been inundated with several comments about the implementation of the peace initiative, and chose to be silent out of maturity and wisdom.
But he said it was important to put the records straight for clarity, and explained that when the President intervened in the political crisis that engulfed the state in 2023, the agreement that was accepted was a political solution.
Governor Fubara said he had since then commenced implementation of the agreement, solely because of his respect for President Tinubu, but cautioned that it appears that other political actors have taken his humility and compliance as a sign of weakness.
The Governor said: “Let me say it here for record purposes: What is happening here in our dear State is somebody who has respect for an elder. Mr. President invited all the parties to Abuja, and came out with a resolution that we should go and implement. That resolution, I am implementing it. It is not a constitutional implementation. It is a political solution to a problem.
“And I am doing it because of the respect I have for Mr President. But, let me say it here, if that action that I have accepted to take would be seen as a weakness, I will surprise them. I want this message to go to them.
“Some days ago, somebody said we are busy renting crowd for thanksgiving. But what I have seen here today, it’s not different from what is happening at those thanksgiving rallies. People are just appreciating God and good governance.”
Fubara stated that he was mindful of the legacy he would bequeath after his tenure, adding “It should also be about the lives that have been touched genuinely; about the policies implemented without any inducement to better the lives of the people and the society.”
The governor urged the people to continue to support his administration, show understanding over actions taken, and obey the rules in a peaceful manner.
“When you are doing what is right, I will stand by you. Nobody, whether full or half is going to intimidate you. Brace up, I say brace up, because the next step, it will be fire for fire in Rivers State. Everything will be implemented.”
The governor spoke days after the Rivers House of Assembly threatened to commence fresh impeachment proceedings against him.
At a press conference in Port Harcourt, the state capital, on Saturday, Speaker of the Assembly, Martins Amaehwule, accused the governor of not implementing the pact.
Amaehwule said the responsibilities of the assembly are constitutionally recognized and it holds the mandate of carrying out its responsibilities.
He asked those close to the governor to advise him to uphold the tenets of the peace accord brokered by Tinubu.
He said, “They must not forget that the Rivers State House of Assembly has the mandate of the people and that we swore an oath of allegiance to the Constitution to do the needful, including the Impeachment of the Governor as a last resort. So, if it becomes a last resort, in accordance with the law, we will not hesitate to do so because no individual is bigger than Rivers State, including the Governor.
“It is worthy of note that the notice of impeachment of the Governor was withdrawn by members of the House in fulfilment of the terms of the agreement and out of immense respect for the person and office of the President of the Federal Republic and believing that there would be a U-turn in terms of unlawful actions of the Governor. The reverse is now the case as we see from day to day the activities of the State Governor being conducted outside the laws of Rivers State and the Constitution.
“What about advising the Governor to heed to the Peace Agreement he begged for, willingly signed, and has chosen not to abide by some of the terms?”
The assembly and Fubara have been on war path since the governor fell out with Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, his predecessor.
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