Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara has urged the people of the state and all those who may be worried over the nature of his peace pact with the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike and other parties in the Rivers crisis to be calm.
In a statewide broadcast to the people of the state few hours after returning to duty on Friday following the expiration of the six months emergency rule declared by President Bola Tinubu, Gov. Fubara said while the fears, frustrations, and uncertainties over the nature of the peace process were valid and understood. nothing has been “irretrievably lost”
“There remains ample opportunity for necessary adjustments, continued reconciliation, and inclusiveness. We must all remember the saying, ‘the costliest peace is cheaper than the cheapest war,” he remarked.
He called for commitment by all stakeholders to make the existing peace in the state permanent.
Gov. Fubara noted that the political crisis has been put behind as peace and stability have once again returned to Rivers State, even though it was not without the hard lessons learnt from the emergency rule.
The governor said that “the responsibility now rests squarely on us: the government, the state House of Assembly, political leaders and stakeholders to put aside our differences, work for the common good, and advance the interests of our people above all else.
“We have a duty to ensure that the peace we have all embraced remains permanent in our dear Rivers State”
Gov. Fubara praised the intervention of President Bola Tinubu in resolving the political crisis and restoring democratic governance.
He emphasized that he will not take the president’s kindness for granted, and reaffirmed his utmost loyalty and eternal gratitude to hm.
The governor described the last six months of emergency rule as challenging and recalled the political crisis that led to the abortion of democracy in the state and acknowledged the steps taken by President Tinubu to reconcile all the warring parties, nothing that he resisted the pressure to challenge the emergency rule because of his conviction that no sacrifice was too great to secure peace.
He said: “It is without doubt that the last six months had been enormously challenging for our dear State under the emergency rule.
“As your governor, I accepted to abide by the state of emergency declaration and chose to cooperate with Mr. President and the National Assembly, guided by my conviction that no sacrifice was too great to secure peace, stability, and progress of Rivers State.
“This was why I also resisted the pressure to challenge the constitutionality of the declaration of a state of emergency, the suspension of democratic institutions, and all other actions that we endured during this difficult period.
Gov. Fubara pointed out that in the course of the six-months, Tinubu successfully brokered the peace process with all the parties, stressing that the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and himself accepted to bury the hatchet and embrace peace and reconciliation in the best interest of the state.
“Accordingly, let us, therefore, embrace this moment as a fresh beginning. Let us work together with renewed hope and determination to build a stronger, more peaceful and prosperous Rivers State.
“I assure you that we will continuously work towards ensuring that we carry everyone along,” he pleaded.
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The governor said despite the turbulence, his administration made credible milestones in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and other key sectors over the last two years.
Gov. Fubara noted that his government is faced with immediate responsibility to return to the path of governance and development by completing the projects it started and ensuring none of them is starved of funds or neglected.
On his relationship with the state House of Assembly going forward, Gov. Fubara said: “I commit to working harmoniously with the Rivers State House of Assembly to recover lost grounds and accelerate the social and economic advancement of our dear state. I also renew my pledge to serve with the fear of God, humility and a high sense of duty”.
He applauded the resilient people of Rivers for their patience, courage, and peaceful conduct during the six months of emergency rule.
Gov. Fubara further extended his appreciation to all stakeholders, religious leaders, traditional rulers, civil society groups, political actors, women groups, youths, concerned citizens at home and abroad, and well-wishers whose prayers and support sustained them through the challenging period.
He appealed to Rivers people to draw strength from their shared identity saying that their diversity remained their greatest asset, and their unity the strongest guarantee of their future.
He said, “We must rise above bitterness and division and channel our energies into rebuilding trust, fostering inclusiveness, and securing a peaceful and prosperous state for all”
Referring to Wike as “our leader”, Gov. Fubara thanked him for committing to the prompt resolution of the political impasse in the state.
He also thanked the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio; the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen; and the members of the National Assembly for the role they all played in the resolution of the matter.
The governor commended the speaker and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, respected elders, stakeholders and all concerned citizens for working together to resolve their differences and ensuring peace and harmony in the state.
Gov. Fubara called on all citizens of Rivers State regardless of political, religious, or ethnic affiliation, to join hands in rebuilding the state and securing a future of dignity and progress for everyone.
