By Tony John, Port Harcourt

Rivers State Governor,  Siminalayi Fubara, has said his administration will not fold its hands and watch sponsored political thugs run berserk, committing arson.

He assured that working with the Nigeria Police Force and the Directorate of State Services (DSS), measures would be taken to unravel those behind the recent burning of council Secretariats at Ikwerre, Emohua and Eleme with a view to making them account for their atrocities.

Governor Fubara spoke while swearing in four new commissioners into the State Executive Council at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday. Those inaugurated are Israel Lebura Ngbuelu;  Evans Bapakaye Bipi; Otamiri John Ngubo and  Benibo Anabraba.

Governor Fubara recalled mentioning when he inaugurated the newly elected local Government Councils’ chairmen on October 6, 2024, that there was intelligence on planned mayhem by misguided persons, who had threatened to  prevent the elected officers from resuming duties.

True to it, Governor Fubara said, the sponsored political thugs hatched their plans, and burnt valued buildings at some council secretariats. “I said it before it happened. I knew because they were unhappy, they would go extra miles to create disaffection in the minds and hearts of the good people of Rivers State.

“We want to also let the people know that what has happened (arson) after the election, we are not going to allow it to go uninvestigated. “A similar event had happened in this manner before, and after some weeks, some of our supporters were declared wanted in order to turn the story around.

“But this time around, I strongly believe, with the support and cooperation of the Nigerian Police and the Directorate of State Services (DSS), we will unravel those behind the assault and make sure that they account for their atrocities.”

Governor Fubara expressed the show of patience and calmness by the majority of Rivers people despite the fact that they are angry with the reckless acts of the misguided miscreants. The governor said he has continued to show leadership, provided the climate that has engendered productive endeavours, and will not mislead those he is leading. “As your leader; the one steering the ship, I assure you I will not mislead any of you. I still stand on the path of peace. We have cases of arson in some local government areas. But, I appreciate your calmness. I have always maintained that we are going to be the greatest losers, if we meet them force-for-force. We need to go with peace.

“So, I will encourage everyone of you not to follow them with violence. We are carrying a basket of precious eggs in our hands. So, we need to follow them with carefulness and wisdom.”

Governor Fubara reiterated what he said the previous day on what should matter most for Rivers State, which is a firm support to ensure that the progress of Nigeria is sustained. He said if oil theft is not checked, the country’s economy will be badly impacted, and there will not be funds to address critical issues.

Meanwhile, Governor Fubara has inaugurated a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate the arson, killings and destruction of property at various Local Government Council Headquarters in the State.

He inaugurated the seven-member commission at the Executive Chambers of Government House in Port Harcourt on Tuesday. The commission that has one month to conclude its assignment, has Justice Ibiwengi Roseline Minakiri as Chairman; Mrs. Inyingi Brown as the Secretary; and Uzor Ikenga as the Counsel.

Other members are Felicia Nwoke; Prof. Blessing Didia; Samuel Egbe; and Venerable Alex Usifor.

The governor said the recent attacks and burning of Local Government Councils’ Secretariats on the 7th October, 2024, seemed like a repeat of what was experienced in 2014, months to the General Elections of 2015 when courts were set ablaze, residences bombed and people killed, leading to the closure of courts in Rivers State.

Governor Fubara said his administration will not look away while ill-guided youths and sponsored political thugs turn the State into a theatre of violence without being made to pay for such crimes against the State.

“So, I have decided to take this action to find out the immediate and remote causes of this arson, most importantly, no matter the personalities involved, we must bring them to book. “So, this assignment is very important. It is an assignment that, if it is not done rightly, would give the enemies of this State opportunity to continue.

“And if we are right, it is going to be the end of further destruction of public property in the State. I know it is going to be very tasking. I can assure you that there will be threats, but you have to be strong,” he advised.

Governor Fubara stated that it is long overdue to inaugurate the commission of inquiry owing to incidents that have been witnessed since his administration came on board.

He explained that sometime in the past, about October, 2023, a similar incident was experienced, and because he had thought that everybody was of the same political family, he decided to let go. He added that the persistence of the violence and differences between people who once had worked together have seemingly destroyed chances of settling any misgivings internally. “It has become very clear that rather than getting close to the path of peace, this State is gradually turning into a kingdom where law and order is no longer the order of the day. And we cannot fold our hands and allow such things to happen. “On the 5th of October, 2024, about four days ago, we had an election in this State. Before the election, we also heard from a lot of quarters, songs of war, (and) threats but we never took them seriously because we believed that a local government election is a prerogative of the State Government. It has nothing to do with anybody anywhere that is outside the confinement of our State.

“And for that reason, we believed strongly that whatever it is, we could manage it to produce the purpose of that election. “But, it is very unfortunate that after the election, even while the election was going on, several things happened, which we managed, thinking it was going to end there.

“The day after the election, there were also more threats from people, and we also thought it was just a normal threat, believing that it was not going to be out of hand but it did.”

Governor Fubara told members of the commission that God has not made any mistake to find them suitable for the assignment given to them.