“So, the Government and people of Rivers State heartily congratulate you and thank you for being a good ambassador of the Ibani Kingdom.

“And this is us assuring you that as the Executive arm of Government, we know that the Legislative arm of Government is independent, but we will continue to collaborate so that good tidings will always be the portion of our people.”

The State’s number one citizen expressed gratitude to the Oko-Jumbo led Assembly, saying “I thank you Mr Speaker for your support so far to the Government of Rivers State as we see in your cooperation. The Speaker that screened caretaker committee chairmen, the Speaker that has been helping us ensure that requests from the Executive arm are swiftly confirmed, the Speaker that will give life to the 2025 Budget”.

 

It was perhaps, an indication that despite pressure that is being mounted by pro-Wike forces, the budget, when the time comes, will not be tabled before Amaewhule and 24 others.

Governor Fubara who observed publicly that the ongoing fight between himself and his predecessor is indeed over the control of State resources meant for the wellbeing of the Rivers people stressed that the State Government would continue to work closely with the Rivers State House of Assembly.

He said that nothing mattered to his administration more than the desire to use state funds for the betterment of the lives of the people of the State.

He outlined some of benefits of the cooperation that his administration has enjoyed as a result of the relationship with the 10th Assembly.

These include the screening of nominees for various positions and the swift passage of executive bills brought before the House.

Represented by the Chief of Staff, Government House, Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie, Governor Fubara said that the citing of constituency projects by the Speaker and his colleagues is an obvious sign that they are indeed elected representatives of the people.

He described the 25 former lawmakers who have battled relentlessly to destabilize the State as Abuja-based politicians who have failed woefully to attract any projects to their constituents.

As he put it, “This is one of the dividends of democracy as elected representatives of our people to show that you are elected into the House of Assembly to represent your people; one of the obvious signs is constituency projects.

“The 25 former Assembly members that sacked themselves, has anyone done projects? Have you seen or watched anywhere? Are they inspecting or commissioning projects? These are Abuja-based politicians!”

Turning attention to the House Speaker, the Governor lauded him for the establishment of two state-of-the-art town halls as well as the provision of financial empowerment to 100 Bonny indigenes, and tertiary scholarship awards to 30 indigenes of Bonny.

“You are not just commissioning one town hall; we are here in Bonny to commission two state-of-the-art town halls. And before us, you have just implemented economic empowerment for 100 Bonny indigenes to the tune of N10million.

“You have further announced the implementation of tertiary scholarship awards to 30 Bonny indigenes to the highest level of education. What more can we call representation?”, Fubara added.

In his speech, the Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo, thanked the people of Bonny for believing in the 10th Assembly, stating that he has no regrets supporting Governor Fubara.

He said that the Assembly will not be distracted by the enemies of the State or by the 25 former members from discharging its functions.

He recalled that the impeachment plot by the former lawmakers against the Governor on October 30, 2023, was deliberately orchestrated.

But the Speaker added that the evil plan did not stand because it was resisted by Rivers people.

“We will not be distracted by the enemies of Rivers State”, Oko-Jumbo remarked, “We will not be distracted by the 25 former members of the House of Assembly. What happened on October 30, 2023, was deliberately orchestrated.

“Our God, who hath in Heaven blinded their eyes and made them deaf. And as such, they made a fatal mistake when they sought to not just only impeach my brother and friend, Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie as Leader but to further impeach His Excellency, the Governor.

“And by God’s grace…even though at that time we didn’t think that we would have lasted one month…Rivers people stood firm, Bonny people stood firm, and we resisted.”

Oko-Jumbo noted that the commissioning of the two 500-seater auditorium town halls is in fulfillment of his campaign promise to the people based on the need-to-gap assessment he carried out.

He affirmed that the 2025 Budget will soon be presented before the 10th Assembly, stating that the Bonny Local Government will be captured in the provision of basic infrastructure projects.

“Let me use this medium to assure you that we will not rest on our oars until we ensure rapid development comes to Bonny Kingdom.”

“There are so many things that we need as a people”, the Speaker explained, “But let me remind you that as Speaker of the House of Assembly, (the) 2025 Budget will soon be passed.

“Bonny Local Government will be captured in the 2025 Budget that will be presented soon by His Excellency. Today, I am standing strong knowing that I have made the right choice”.