Rivers Crisis: Fubara Begs Rivers People For Forgiveness

By Uke N. Uke

 

The Governor of Rivers State,  Siminalayi Fubara has apologized to the Rivers people,  following serious concerns generated by the political tension of the past few days.

Fubara who expressed regret said in a press statement issued a few hours ago, “We must therefore not allow circumstances that could retard all efforts” that are being made “at achieving greatness for our people to prevail.”

“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”, he said.

The Governor again seized the chance to explain his own side of the story, stressing that the pursuit of peace will continue to be his watchword.

“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”, the Governor’s statement stressed.

He however noted that the former governor, Barrister Nyesom Wike and himself have a great responsibility to ensure at all times that peace reigns in the State

 

As he put it, “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.”

Fubara thanked President Bola Tinubu, other state governors and elders of the State for their intervention.

“I wish to thank the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR”, the Rivers Governor noted, “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” whom he acknowledged “are currently intervening in the matter.”

Recalling the events that transpired,  Fubara 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 3 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.”

Although Fubara did not render any direct apology to his predecessor over the events which have put the state in negative light, Rivers people who spoke to PHC Telegraph say Wike is also a Rivers man.

They said that as a Rivers man, Wike was covered by the apology.

They say that they are beginning to heave great sighs of relief because Fubara’s latest comment are capable of opening windows of opportunity that may lead to the restoration of peace.

One of them said under anonymous conditions, “I am touched by his remark that no price is too huge to pay in his search for peace.

Governor Fubara has continued to insist that the quarrel between Wike and himself is like a disagreement between a father and a son.

In all, he had maintained the rift between them would be settled. Now, the possibility of that settlement has appeared in the open.

Full Text of Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s Press Statement Dated November 3, 2023:

“PRESS STATEMENT

 

*PEACE IS PRICELESS

My dear good people of Rivers State.

I consider it necessary to issue this press statement on the developments of the past few days in our dear state.

 

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 3 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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

May God continue to bless our dear Rivers State.

SIGNED

 

HIS EXCELLENCY,

SIR SIMINALAYI FUBARA, GSSRS,

GOVERNOR OF RIVERS STATE

3rd November, 2023.”