PORT HARCOURT: Siminalayi Fubara, the governor of Rivers State, issued a warning Wednesday, saying that any additional acts of violence or attacks would jeopardize the state’s oil production.
This occurred on the same day that the state administration established a seven-member judicial commission to look into the Monday arson that four local government secretariats in the state were set on fire by thugs.
However, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, responded to the political developments in the state last night for the first time since the election on Saturday. He accused Governor Fubara of being the primary architect of the political crisis and violence that had engulfed the state in recent times.
However, Fubara issued the warning in light of the thugs’ Monday firebombing of four local government secretariats.
The governor added that his administration will not stand by as funded political goons destroy property and commit arson around the state.
Speaking yesterday in Port Harcourt during the inauguration of five new commissioners nominated by his government, Fubara stated:
I am on the peaceful path, says Fubara
“I promise not to mislead any of you; I am your leader and the one navigating the ship. I remain on the peaceful road. In certain local government districts, there have been arson cases.
However, I value your composure. I have always believed that if we confront them forcefully, we would lose the most. We must proceed in harmony.
Thus, I shall exhort each and every one of you to refrain from violently following them. In our hands, we have a basket filled with priceless eggs. Thus, we must heed them with caution and discernment.
“Everyone needs to work together to ensure that there is a rise in output since the money coming in from oil production is now insufficient to address Nigeria’s problems.
Here, we’ll be more concerned with how to offer support than with ignoring the outside noise. To ensure that we stop this problem of oil theft and pipeline destruction, you must cooperate with us.
“This is the only way that the state’s allowances (revenue) will rise, more will come to it, and more progress will be made here.”
He warned that the nation’s economy will suffer if oil theft is not stopped and that there would not be enough money to deal with pressing problems.
The governor vowed that his administration would not stand by and watch as political goons wreck havoc throughout the state, promising that steps would be taken in collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Police Force to identify and apprehend those responsible for the recent burning of council secretariats in the local government areas of Eleme, Emohua, and Ikwerre.
Governor Fubara remembered noting, on October 6, 2024, during his oath of office, that misguided individuals had threatened to prevent the elected officials from taking up their duties and had plotted mayhem.
He reported that the political thugs under sponsorship devised their schemes and set fire to important structures at some council secretariats.
“I stated that before it took place. I was aware that they would go to great lengths to sow discontent among the decent citizens of Rivers State because they were dissatisfied.
We also want the public to know that we will not stand by if the arson that occurred following the election remains uninvestigated.
This kind of incident has previously occurred, and in an attempt to change the narrative, a few of our supporters were listed as sought after a few weeks.
“But this time, I’m confident that we can uncover the perpetrators of the attack and hold them accountable for their crimes with the help and collaboration of the Nigerian Police and the Department of State Services, DSS.”
Despite their anger at the misguided miscreants’ irresponsible actions, he praised the majority of Rivers residents for their tolerance and composure.
According to the governor, he has persisted in demonstrating leadership, created an environment that has encouraged fruitful endeavors, and promised not to deceive people he is in charge of.
As he detailed the many things his administration is doing for the people of the state, Governor Fubara bemoaned the fact that his efforts were being obscured by the political turmoil that takes their focus away.
On the other hand, he stated that his government is figuring out the details and will shortly select a day—possibly before October 31, 2024—to highlight a few initiatives and programs that have improved the lives of people in the state.
He welcomed the recently sworn-in commissioners on their appointment to the Rivers State Executive Council, emphasizing the need for more members to be added in order to further influence governmental policy and show support for the Rivers people and the administration.
“At this point, we want to be certain about the people we are adding to the Council so that we won’t wake up one morning to find resignation letters.” We are therefore taking our time.
After a typical political cycle, there used to be what’s known as balance. Thus, in order to further balance the political equation, I can also declare that the new commissioners who are joining us are coming from their zones,” he stated.
The governor tasked the newly appointed commissioners with providing the state with high-quality services while being committed, honest, industrious, and productive.
Because they have experience with the inner workings of government, Governor Fubara stated that he believes they can deliver and expressed hope that they will positively impact his administration’s success.
Israel Ngbuelu, Evans Bipi, Mr. Otamiri Ngubo, and Mr. Benibo Anabraba were among those sworn in.
Rivers government forms a seven-member judicial commission to look into attacks by arsonists.
A judicial commission of inquiry has been established by the Rivers State administration to look into the arson, deaths, and other acts of violence that took place in the state on Monday.
In a statement released yesterday, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, stated that the establishment of the judicial commission was done in accordance with Section 2(1) of the Commissions of Inquiry Law, Cap 30, Laws of Rivers State of Nigeria, 1999.
In a statement, it was stated that “a judicial commission of inquiry into the arson, killings, and wanton destruction of property at some local government council headquarters which occurred on or about Monday, October 7, 2024” had been approved by Rivers State Governor His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara.
Barrister Felicia Nwoke, Prof. Blessing Didia, Sir Samuel Egbe, Venerable Alex Usifor, Barrister Uzor Ikenga, and Mrs. Inyingi Brown are the other members of the panel, which is chaired by Justice I.R. Minakiri.
According to the statement, Governor Fubara will swear in the commission members today.
The primary planner of the Rivers problem, Fubara — Wike
Nyesom Wike, the minister of the Federal Capital Territory, stated last night that Fubara ought to be held accountable for the current political climate in the state.
Speaking on the Politics Today program on Channels Television, which was televised in Abuja, Wike stated: “The only thing that can bring peace is obeying the rule of law and not the rule of power.” When you accept the rule of law and obey court orders, you can live in peace.
Wike explained that the governor of Rivers had orchestrated a botched coup attempt to unseat the speaker of the State House of Assembly, but that the operation had backfired.
Additionally, he said that his attorneys had been told to contest the legitimacy of the investigative court that Governor Fubara had promised to establish following the violence in the state following the election.
He said that since Fubara had already claimed that his political rivals were responsible for the violence, the governor only needed to order the security services to make an arrest rather than wasting tax payer money on a panel.
“I’ve instructed our attorneys to go put that garbage away. When the governor claims to have knowledge that his political rivals were responsible for the arson, who is the investigative court? “It is a waste of tax dollars,” he declared.
Additionally, Wike refuted Fubara’s assertions that he had bowed down for him and begged him to grant the state peace.
“First of all, I dispute that fact,” he uttered. Never. He did not bow down to me. Which crime did you perpetrate? That is untrue.
Rivers Crisis: Bishop Onuoha advises leaders to confront authority head-on and not mince words.
Methodist Bishop Dr. Sunday Onuoha responded to the events in Rivers State yesterday by stating that if immediate action is not taken, the crisis in Rivers State could turn into a national emergency.
Bishop Onuoha, briefing reporters in Abuja, urged national leaders and people of conscience to step in and warned those stoking political unrest in the state to stop.
When confronting the situation, he underlined the importance of accountability and the truth.
The cleric stated, “I am deeply worried about the situation in Rivers State and its impact on innocent people,” expressing his extreme concern about the current state of affairs in the region.
People are stepping up to enforce the law, and I don’t know why this is occurring. I wonder why there hasn’t been any action from law enforcement.
“Elder statesmen ought to be honest and warn those who are causing unrest in Rivers State so that a catastrophic event doesn’t happen.”
“This is the time to prevent that state from going into crisis and, in the end, to shield Nigeria from a political upheaval that might destroy our democracy.”
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