Port Harcourt bomber: Fubara cries out over police silence

Governor Fubara seems to have begun to develop doubts about the neutrality of the law enforcement agents in Rivers State.

The governor cried out Monday, July 8, 2024, over what he called the silence of the police almost two weeks after an explosion in the state capital while protests were going on over the term elongation issue.

While swearing in another commissioner, the governor expressed surprise at the prolonged silence of the Nigeria Police over the attempted detonation that chopped off the upper limbs of the alleged detonator.

The governor raised eyebrows, saying if such was done by supporters linked to him, terrorism charges would have been slammed on them swiftly without delay.

Governor Fubara expressed worries shortly after swearing in Emmanuel Onengiye-Ofori Frank-Fubara as the new Commissioner for Finance at the Executive Chambers of Government House in Port Harcourt.

The governor insisted that Rivers State, as known today, has only one enemy who is vehemently opposed to his administration, with others classified as his offspring, together making frenetic efforts to sink the state.

Fubara however, declared that the good God has continued to frustrate their machinations and disgracing them all.

He said, like it was upheld in several prayers by his predecessors, that Rivers State is dedicated to God, and that those who fight it will continue to experience inexplicable trouble and defeat.

He said: “You know, if it were a situation that (Governor) Fubara is involved in anything, or links Fubara’s associates, by now, Nigeria would have been hot. There would have been arrests, there would have been statements, there would have been counter this or that. There would have been press conferences.”

Governor Fubara emphasised: “And, I am wondering after how many weeks now, the Nigeria Police are still not able to come out and make a statement about the attempt by the man that tried to detonate a dynamite in front of Presidential Hotel, Port Harcourt.

“I am still wondering why it has not happened. But, maybe, if it was any other thing that has to do with us, they would have charged the person for terrorism.

Read also: P/Harcourt explosion: Fubara accuses police of ‘compromised silence’

“But, you see, this God that I serve, we are serving genuinely. This God that Rivers State has been dedicated to by our predecessors, because when they make statements, they say: Rivers State belongs to God; and that is the God that is saving and lifting us.”

Governor Fubara said that the enemies of the state, surely, will gather, as stated in the Holy Bible, but because their gathering is not of God, they will surely scatter, “which is what is happening now.”

Referring to the double assembly system in the state, the governor pointed out that his administration was satisfied with its dealings with the Rivers State House of Assembly is duly recognised by law to carry on with its legislative duties and provide the requisite support for effective functioning of the Executive without interruption of governance.

Governor Fubara charged the newly sworn-in Commissioner, who has a track record of being thorough and pays attention to details, to ensure he does not disappoint the confidence reposed in him.

He also urged him to use the opportunity to touch lives, while making the state proud with the quality of service he will render by defending it always.

He said: “It doesn’t matter how long or short I have known him. But within the short period of knowing him, he has proven himself to be a gentleman.

“So, Mr. Frank, this honour that God has given to you today, it is not for you to wear one big cap and put one rottweiler in front of your gate, no. Use the opportunity to touch lives.

“But, above all, make the State proud. Work in a manner that you’ve not worked before. Defend the interest of the state. That is what is important, and not to praise me. No. Don’t praise me.

“I believe strongly that you are going to do well and make us proud, and we will continue to make the state great.”