• Ohanaeze youths rally support for governor
From Tony John, Port Harcourt
Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has apologized for the recent crisis that erupted and caused tension in the state.
The governor in a statement he signed said the action was regrettable, adding that peace was priceless.
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for his prompt intervention and other stakeholders that contributed to restoring peace in the state.
He said: “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.”
Fubara also disclosed the circumstances that led to the political crisis witnessed by Rivers residents and Nigerians in general.
He explained: “Late on Sunday night, 29th October, 2023, I was inundated with reports that the hallowed chamber of the Rivers State House of Assembly has been gutted by fire. The blaze was successfully put out by the fire service, after which security agencies took control of the situation.
“My visit to the Assembly complex on Monday, 30th October, 2023, was to assess the level of damage and undertake remedial measures to protect lives and property within the Assembly complex. I charged the security agencies to thoroughly investigate the incident and report to me.
“Shortly after, I got reports that the state House of Assembly had broken into two factions: one claiming to have impeached and suspended the House Leader and three others preparatory to initiating an impeachment action against me, and the other rival faction impeaching the Speaker and Deputy Speaker, thus sparking off some form of political crisis.
“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.”
Fubara added that it is a collective responsibility for him and his predecessor and Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Nyesom Wike, to leverage on their positions to advance progress and security in the state.
He said: “Furthermore, it is the collective responsibility of the immediate past Governor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, His Excellency, Chief Barrister, Ezenwo 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 circumstances 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.”
This is as Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC), Rivers State chapter, has condemned the attempt to impeach the governor by the House of Assembly.
President of the youth wing of Ohanaeze in Rivers State, Jocelyn Johiah, in a statement issued in Port Harcourt yesterday, called on members of the public irrespective of their tribes, political affiliation, to stand against anything that would truncate the Fubara-led administration.
Johiah said: “We want to use this medium to call on all people of good conscience, irrespective of their political leaning, tribe or ethnic extraction, to stand up against this unjust attempt to carry out a civilian coup d’état against the people of Rivers State, using the backdoor of a counterpart legislative arm of government.
“Governor Sim Fubara represents the equity the riverine communities in Rivers State deserve. These riverine communities have for many years been patient and supportive of the other brother tribe that had dominated the corridors of power in the last 24 years.”
The youth council emphasized that it would continue to support the scheme of things, adding that it has decided to rally round him in furtherance of equity in the state.