…Observers say, danger still lurking around
Governor Sim Fubara of Rivers State who escaped impeachment by the whiskers Monday, October 30, 2023, seems to be calming down.
The embattled governor has now found that peace is priceless, and has offered to do anything to ensure peace returns to Rivers State. Simply put, the governor has taken the lead in resolving the crisis between him and his godfather, Nyesom Wike, in line with the order by the Rivers Elders.
In a statement in Port Harcourt, November 3, 2023, the governor said he and Wike owed it a duty to turn around the ugly development that characterized the state all through the week. On his part, he said, “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.”
Read also; Wike’s ‘me, me’ agenda backfires, frees Fubara?
Saying he considered it necessary to issue a press statement on the developments of the past few days in the dear state, he recaptured what happened in the week thus: “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.”
The police had however, subtly controverted his claim of going to the House of Assembly to do inspection, saying what they (police) saw was a mob and that the governor did not notify them if his visit was for inspection.
Read also; Fubara thanks Tinubu for intervening in Rivers crisis
Also, members of the House seeking to impeach him fled when he approached that the lawmakers never saw his visit as civil.
The Governor however, said shortly after, “I got reports that the Rivers State House of Assembly had broken into two factions: one claiming to have impeached and suspended the House leader and three 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.”
He went on: “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.
Read also; Fubara apologises, seeks peace amid political crisis in Rivers
“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, 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.
“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.”
His retractions of his actions and the statement he endorsed seem to attract disappointment from many members of the public. Some have warned him to know that having taken the actions he took, that he would never win his godfather’s trust again, and that sooner than later, he may be hit from behind, politically.
Others however, say Fubara is old enough to know that things would never be same again and that danger may lie in wait ahead.
