Rivers crisis: My decision to embrace peace not out of fear – Fubara

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has said that the decisions taken by his administration in the political crisis in the state were not borne out of fear, but for peace to reign in the state.

Also, he explained that the resignation of the factional Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Edison Ehie, from his position and the legislature was in the interest of peace.

Fubara disclosed this while addressing Rivera people at the maiden state banquet held by his administration at the Government House, Port Harcourt, on Monday, to celebrate the New Year.

The PUNCH reports that Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, after a truce meeting with President Tinubu on December 18, agreed to an 8-point resolution.

According to the eight-point resolution signed at the end of the meeting, the President directed that all lawsuits instituted in the courts by Fubara and his team regarding the political crisis in Rivers State be withdrawn immediately.

The resolution was signed by Fubara; his deputy, Ordu; Wike; Ribadu; factional Speaker of the Rivers State Assembly, Martin Amaewhule;  Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Rivers State, Aaron Chukwuemeka, and the All Progressives Congress Chairman, Tony Okocha.

The resolution amongst others, mandated Fubara to re-present the 2024 appropriation bill he had earlier presented to the four-member state House of Assembly to the full House.

While wishing Rivers people a fruitful and prosperous 2024, he appealed to them to embrace the peace process at the instance of President Bola Tinibu.

Fubara stated that his administration would not be enmeshed in any dirty political war that would hinder the promising prospects of development in the state.

He said, “Every decision that we have taken is not borne out of fear but because we have the interest of our people and we have respect for elders.

“I’m appealing to every one of us to embrace peace. We need this peace because our intention for the state is not for our interest but for the development of the state.

“So when we are faced with this type of situation we consider the actions and reactions. Who is going to suffer? Fubara will not suffer, but one million supporters will suffer.”

The governor said his decision to embrace the eight-point resolution following the President’s intervention is not out of fear, but out of respect for elders.

” I want to leave you with only this message, we will not disappoint you. We also will not be involved in any dirty fighting because we know that we are going to be the losers.

“Therefore, whatever it will take as seen in our decisions, yesterday (Sunday) a lot of people were worried about why would the Speaker resign. It is to tell you what we can do for peace to reign, ” Fubara stated.

The governor said his administration was determined to leave a legacy of unity and development in the state and not a legacy of political apprehension.

In his welcome address, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo, thanked God that despite the political turbulence in the state, Fubara is focused on dispensing the dividends of democracy in the state.

He pointed out that the state is blessed to have a governor who is “calculated, humble,  honest and hardworking”, and urged Rivers people to be apostles of peace, truth and justice for the state to continue on a trajectory of greatness.