• Alleges fierce ongoing battle to destroy state

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara vowed yesterday that he would not rule the state on bended knees regardless of what he called the ongoing fierce fight to destroy the soul of the state.

Fubara, who is currently locked in a political battle with his immediate past predecessor, Mr. Nyesom Wike, pleaded for the support of all well meaning people of the state in order to save it.

He spoke at the Ubima country home of a former governor of the state, Sir Celestine Omehia, in Ikwerre Local Government Area.

The governor, accompanied by some elders of the state, was on a condolence visit to Omehia on the recent death of his mother, Mrs Ezinne Cecilia Omehia.

Fubara, according to his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Nelson Chukwudi, said the visit was to demonstrate love and show support to Sir Omehia who, as a son, had satisfactorily performed the duty of giving his mother a befitting burial.

He stressed the need for every true lover of the state to stand up to be counted in the fight to safeguard the soul of Rivers State.

“Anybody who claims to love this state should not be party to anything, directly or indirectly, that will bring us backwards,” the governor was quoted as saying.

He added: “We will continue to support every course that will advance the interest of our dear Rivers State.

“And I am happy to say, and I’ve said it over and again, it doesn’t matter the number of people that are standing with me, I will stand on that side of truth.

 “I will not, I repeat, I will not govern our dear state on my knees (bending).

“If that was the purpose, I will not do that. I will stand to govern our dear state and stand continually on the side of right.

“But politics of bitterness will not take us anywhere. So, I want to thank you that, at this stage, we have a few of you who understand that Rivers State belongs to every one of us. We must, therefore, fight together to sustain the soul of this state.”

Fubara also spoke on the Friday tanker inferno which he said razed over 120 vehicles and claimed five lives.

He described the incident as a “great tragedy and very unfortunate”.

He said: “It is a very sad day in our dear State. Something happened in Eleme, along the route of Indorama Petrochemical and Fertiliser Company Limited.

“A tanker had an issue with a tipper, and there was an unfortunate situation that caused the state a very devastating loss.

“I went there this morning to see for myself what really happened, and I can tell you, I’ve not been happy since then. With all the dramas in our state, it is not even proper for us to add that to it.

“But it wasn’t our fault. It was just what impatience caused. The tanker driver, knowing the state of that road, was not patient, and it resulted in that colossal loss. Over 120 vehicles were completely burnt and five lives were lost. It was very unfortunate.”

He commiserated with those who lost loved ones and others whose vehicles were burnt beyond repairs, adding that the state government mourned and grieved with them.

In his speech, Sir Celestine Omehia expressed appreciation, on behalf of his family, to Governor Fubara, his delegation and other friends, among whom were those he described as matured elders, for the show of love.

He said: “I have taken a decision to be SIMplified. Wherever you (Fubara) go is where I will go. If you say tomorrow you are no more interested in this position, I will also stop fighting for anything in Rivers State.

“But God who gave you the opportunity will also give you all the wisdom, strength, power and everything that it takes to govern the people of Rivers State and beyond.”

He assured the Governor that almost the entire people of the State, including chiefs, elders, opinion leaders, women, youths, civil society groups and professionals across all spectrums of the state, were praying and working assiduously for the success of his administration.

Omehia said it was that support and prayers of the people that he needed to succeed, because, according to him, one with God, is with majority, and would always excel and succeed.

He urged the governor to continue in his strides to deliver good governance, peaceful and prosperous state to the present and future generations.

Two members of the state cabinet said to be loyalists of Wike had resigned last week following their redeployment by the governor.

They are Professor Zaccheaus Adangor (who until now was the Commissioner of Justice and Attorney-General) and Isaac Kamalu who was in charge of Finance.

Adangor had been moved to Special Duties and Kamalu to Employment.

Kamalu, in his resignation letter, cited absence of peace in Rivers State despite the peace pact by President Bola Tinubu last December.

 He said it was impossible for him to give his best in an atmosphere of rancour.

He also disputed claim by the governor that the revenue of the state had moved up from N12 billion to N27 billion.

His words: “Your Excellency would recall that I served under the Administration of His Excellency, Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON, GSSRS, POS (now Honorable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja) originally as Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning (2015-2019) and subsequently as Commissioner for Finance-with oversight responsibility for the Rivers State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning (2019 – 2023).

“The mandates of the respective ministries were to the best of our abilities (as ministries) duly carried out and at all times material relevant reforms were embarked upon for improved performance and effective and sustainable service delivery.

“Among several others, we successfully carried out the following: Initiating and (supporting existing) policy frameworks for enhanced internal revenue generation.

“This with (necessary adjustments made on some of the programmes) led to the increase in the internal revenue receipts. This steady rise has been on for some years now, culminating in what the state is presently generating though not the figures erroneously claimed in the Media.

“You will respectfully recall that when the climate of discord became unbearable I and other like-minded members of the Executive Council that were appointed by you resigned.

“You thereafter engaged His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and as father of the nation to intervene in the matter.

“In deference to the directive of Mr. President, I and the others were recalled and we all accepted and joined the cabinet again. I expected, sir, that with the opportunity provided by Mr. President, every effort will be made to sustain peace.

“Regrettably, Your Excellency, the peace in government and governance that we all citizens and residents of the state desire has remained out of reach despite our consistent efforts and demand for same. This has affected our ability to protect and defend the gains that we made these past years.

“In the course of official engagements, I have reiterated the need for this peace and the fact we all are willing and determined to work for this. It is very difficult to deliver good governance where there is acrimony and discord.

“It is not the point of service that is important but the climate. Our present circumstance makes service delivery extremely challenging. I still hold the belief that it is never too late for peace.”

On his part, Adangor said: “I wish to state for the record that I am no longer willing to continue to serve in the administration of His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, Governor of Rivers State, in any capacity whatsoever.

“It is important to mention that the Governor of Rivers State had in the past couple of weeks willfully interfered with the performance of my duties as the Hon. Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Rivers State by directing me not to defend, oppose, or appear in suits instituted against the Hon. Attorney-General and the Government of Rivers State by persons admittedly hired and sponsored by the Government of Rivers State.

“That having served the Government and good people of Rivers State dutifully as member of the Rivers State Executive Council for the past five (5) years, it has become imperative for me to quit the administration in order to preserve my reputation.”

[TheNation]