•Tasks New Council Chairmen On Peace, Service Delivery
•Thanks Tinubu, hails Rivers People For Support
Emma Sunday, Port Harcourt
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara has alleged plans by supporters of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike to attack local government headquarters in the state.
Governor Fubara who made the allegation while swearing-in the new local government Chairmen elected during the October 5 council elections in the state at the Rivers State Government House Port Harcourt on Sunday.
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting the State assets, and urged the new council chairmen to remain peaceful when they are being confronted, even as he declared that the success of the LG elections and emergence of new local government leaders marks a new beginning for the state.
He said, “When they set a low standard, we will set a very high standard. We are not going to go their ways, we are not going to confront or fight anybody, we will continue to use the means of peace and ensuring that this state and it’s assets, and the federal government tax are protected.
“We are not going to be party to any breakdown of law and order in the state, because we know quite alright that if there is breakdown of law and order here, Nigeria will suffer. And is why our maturity must be high. I am charging you to be peace loving.
“I am aware that they are mobilizing twenty people per unit to go and confront you tomorrow, when you resume in your local government headquarters, but please, if they are coming with violence, avoid them, because the peace of this state is too important to us.
“It is on a public notice, everybody knows what they are planning, but please, follow my approach. At the right time, you will always will if you are patient and calculative,” he advised.
Fubara thanked President Bola Tinubu for his support and for being a democrat in the face of the issues in Rivers State. He also appreciated the PDP governors, the leadership of the party, stakeholders and the entire people of Rivers State for their support.
“I must appreciate the president of the federal republic of Nigeria for being a democrat. Without his support we won’t be here today. Even in the face of the situation that confronted us, he still gave us all the support. So, I thank him on behalf of the good people of Rivers State.”
Governor Fubara declared that he remains a member of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, despite supporting the All People’s Party, APP, to win 22 of the 23 local government Chairmanship seats, with the Action Alliance, AA, winning the remaining 1 (Etche LGA), during the election.
He said, “Am so happy that the Chairman of the PDP Governor’s Forum is here to witness this swearing-in ceremony. I want to assure you that I still remain a member of PDP.
“Desperate situation requires desperate measure. We were confronted with situation where the local government of the state was heading to doom. And the truth about it is, what we did was to salvage the local government Council.”
Governor Fubara however, charged the new council Chairmen to see their new positions as an opportunity to serve their people. He also tasked them on development of their LGAs, running a peaceful, all-inclusive, transparent and accessible government.
He urged them to key into his government’s mantra of promoting peace, love and offer purposeful leadership at the grassroot as well as delivering people-centered projects and programmes.
Our correspondent reports that the Chairman of the PDP Governor’s Forum and Governor of Bauchi state, Bala Mohammed, serving and former National Assembly members from Rivers State, stakeholders and political leaders in the state graced the occasion on Sunday.
