In the midst of a big problem in Rivers State, Governor Siminalayi Fubara is sending a strong message to the members of the State House of Assembly.
This warning was shared as he talked to a group from Bayelsa State, including important leaders, to try to fix the issues between the two states.
Fubara Warns Lawmakers
Governor Fubara, spoke out against the behaviour of members of the Rivers State House of Assembly towards his government.
He said they wouldn’t be lawmakers anymore if he decided so.
He mentioned that their recognition as legislators was based on a Peace Accord initiated by President Bola Tinubu.
Governor Fubara made these comments while talking to a group of political and traditional leaders from Bayelsa State who visited him to discuss the political crisis in Rivers State and how to improve relations between the two states.
The delegation included prominent figures like Alfred Diete-Spiff, a Traditional Ruler, former Commissioners, and PDP executives.
Governor Fubara told the delegation led by the former Governor of Bayelsa State and Senator representing Bayelsa West, Henry Siriake Dickson, that he had been the one showing restraint since the crisis escalated in the state.
According to him, despite wielding state powers which he can deploy to achieve his aim, he has continued to act as the big brother in the face of intimidation and unwarranted attacks.
Gov Fubara Statement
He said: “Those group of men who claim that are Assembly members are not Assembly members, they are not existing. I want it to be on record.
“I accepted that Peace Accord to give them a floating.
“That is the truth. There was nothing in that Peace Accord that’s a constitutional issue; it’s a political solution to a problem.
“And I accepted it because these were people that were eating in my house, these were people I have helped paid their children’s school fees when I wasn’t even a governor. So, what is the thing there?
“We might have our division but I believe that one day, we could also come together but it has gotten to a time when I have to make a statement that they are not existing.
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“Their existence is me allowing them to exist. If I de-recognise them, they are nowhere. I want you to see the sacrifice I have made in allowing peace to reign in our state”.
A New Dimension of Crisis
He revealed that he had always been present at any meeting that was called to resolve the crisis in the state.
However, he emphasised that after each meeting, he was met with a new dimension of the crisis from the opposing side.
Also, he vowed to continue to be peaceful, acknowledging that power is transient.
Fubara also talked about the support he received from political leaders, including his predecessor Nyesom Wike. However, he stated that he wouldn’t worship anyone. He believes his rise to power is divine.
He attributed his emergence as divine, saying ‘God can use anyone, including one’s enemy to accomplish His purpose in a man’s life.
Furthermore, he decried the use of police officers to intimidate his supporters, despite showing restraint in the crisis.
Governor Fubara also decried how some of his commissioners were sabotaging him.
Balyesa Governor’s Briefing
According to him, on an occasion, the Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, had briefed him about an important information that a commissioner was supposed to have informed him.
In his speech, the leader of the Bayelsa delegation, Dickson, highlighted the cultural and political bond between Rivers and Bayelsa. It is important both states stay united, he told the gathering.
He called for the preservation of their historic connection. The creation of Bayelsa State should not lead to division but rather be an opportunity for mutual benefit, he stressed.
Senator Dickson also commended Governor Fubara for his efforts to resolve the disputes between both states by paying the first visit to his Bayelsa counterpart earlier this year.
Addressing the political challenges facing Rivers State, Senator Dickson called for collective responsibility from Governor Fubara and his predecessor.
According to him, Rivers State should be to the South-South, what Lagos State is to the South-West.
Senator Dickson also commended the President’s intervention in resolving tensions and advised seeking advice from other leaders to permanently resolve the crisis.
He called for support for both Governor Fubara and Nyesom Wike to succeed in their roles.
