By Abiola Olawale
Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has issued a firm admonition to the Local Government Chairmen, to desist from disturbing the peace of the oil-rich state.
The governor, who emphasised that the local government chairmen have a limited time remaining in office, encouraged them to comport themselves peacefully, as “no one has a monopoly of violence.”
Fubara, speaking on Thursday, May 16, at Egbeda community in the Emohua local government area of the state, pointed out an incident that happened on Tuesday, May 14, when suspected miscreants reportedly attacked some persons who attended the inauguration of the Aleto-Ogale-Ebubu-Eteo road project in Ebubu community, Eleme local government area, on their way home.
The governor, who described the incident as unacceptable, added that such a show of animosity was utterly needless.
He also warned that any outgoing local government chairman in the state, who hurts any citizen of the state, will not be forgiven, as he will be made to pay for his sin.
The governor said: “Let me also say this here. When we left Aleto the other day, some people went there and attacked our people. There is no need for that.
“Nobody has a monopoly of violence. I should even be the one who should come out and shout that I will do this and that. But I don’t need to do that because both sides (of the political divide) belong to me. I have taken an oath to protect all.
“So, I am advising those people, who call themselves local government chairmen, you have a few days in office. Please, peacefully conduct yourselves.”
Fubara drew their attention to the reality of life after office, which, he said, should help them to become more circumspect.
“Politics will come, politics will go, but we will still live our lives,” Fubara said. “Let nobody deceive you; if you deliberately hurt anybody, because of expressing your useless support, nobody will forgive you. You will pay for it.
“So, I’m begging everyone, please, conduct yourself. I am the one who is most hit and abused as a governor, who doesn’t know what to do with power. Is it not? Have I said anything?
“So, please, just endure until when you finish, then you go your way. I don’t want trouble. I don’t want anything that will bring any problems in this state. I know what they want to do, but we will not give them the opportunity.
“We have made our promise to our leader, who happens to be the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, that we will take the path of peace and that is the path we are taking.
“We will continue to take that path. Don’t mind what they say. Don’t mind what they do. Peace remains the path to take.
“While taking the path of that peace, it does not mean that we won’t defend ourselves. Or let me describe it this way: we will not just be like a tree seeing someone coming to cut it down, and won’t do anything. No, no no. We need to also protect ourselves lawfully.”
Commenting on the project inauguration, the governor stated that what was being done was to let the world know that his administration meant well for Rivers State, and was transparently accounting for every kobo that had been received.
Fubara explained that the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku road project will be funded with savings from the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), adding that 50 per cent of the total cost of N80.8 billion had already been paid.
The New Diplomat reports that Rivers State has been in the news for over six months following the open hostilities between Fubara and Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
While the reasons for the acrimony between the duo remain top secret, some inside sources say Wike and Fubara are purportedly battling for control of the oil-rich state’s resources and its political machinery.
