Governor marks one year of botched impeachment
Rev. Uma Ukpai: Sheathe your Sword, let peace reign in Rivers
Gov. Fubara: “They said we are not going to last for one week, but we have done more than one year and we are also marking the one year anniversary of their attempt to impeach us, but failed. They said those LGA Chairmen will not leave, but today we have the newly sworn-in LGA Chairmen seating with us. They also instructed commissioners to resign immediately so that our government will be crippled, however today we have more than 23 commissioners…”
By Kevin Pepple
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara said the 27 lawmakers who defected have missed opportunity for true reconciliation.
To this end, he said his administration is waxing strong even a year after the brokered peace accord failed.
Explaining further Fubara said that after he had complied with almost all the terms of the peace accord brokered by Mr. President, the 27 defected lawmakers took advantage of his peace initiative to continue with matters in court even when he had withdrawn from them.
He said sensing the ambushment by the ousted lawmarkers, he refused to further implement the remaining terms as doing so will give them a lifeline.
Governor Fubara stated this at a State Thanksgiving programme to mark the one year of the botched impeachment against him at the Main Bowl of Alfred Diete-Spiff Civic Center, Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
The governor noted that as a man of honour he immediately complied with the peace agreement but those who claimed to be honourable members could not show honour instead they proceeded with the matters in courts to procure fraudulent judgments.
He harped on the prevailing peace in the state and affirmed that as declared by the Guest Preacher, Rev. Dr. Uma Ukpai, peace has come to stay in the state and the events of October 30, 2023 will never happen again in the state after marking the worst struggle for the advancement of the state.
Fubara also reiterated commitment to defend and protect the interest of Rivers people, assuring that he will execute projects that will endure the test of time just as bequeathed to the state by the likes of Alfred Diete-Spiff
“Our promise to everyone in Rivers State is that our administration will do things that will stand the test of time. No matter what it is, we will continue to do those things that even when we leave people will see it and say yes it is done for the good of Rivers people and not for personal interest. So please I want your support to make sure that what you want for Rivers State we will do it for Rivers people,” he assured.
He commended Rivers people for standing by him which gave legitimacy to his administration till date. This, according to him, “A lot of you might not understand what happened on October 30, 2023. It was an assassination attempt on the people of Rivers State, because indirectly if they had gotten at me, it means they got all of you. They can’t kill everyone of you. They need to kill one person so that everybody can be declared dead. But somehow by the special grace of God and the God we are thanking today turned what they meant for evil into good.
“I just want to say that we have journeyed so far. We have taken the most difficult part of this struggle, there is nothing to fear again as there is nothing that is insurmountable. So you need to brace up, as we are still intact.”
He recounted the plots to frustrate his government including asking commissioners to resign and attempting to elongate tenure of local government chairmen, saying that despite the attempts his government is running with over 23 commissioners and 23 elected local government chairmen.
Continuing, the governor said: “They said we are not going to last for one week, but have done more than one year and we are also marking the one year anniversary of their attempt to impeach us, but failed. They said those LGA Chairmen will not leave, but today we have the newly sworn-in LGA Chairmen seating with us. They also instructed commissioners to resign immediately so that our government will be crippled, however today we have more than 23 commissioners.
The governor expressed excitement that despite the boast that his government will not achieve anything, he has embarked on several life impacting projects and prudently managing the State’s resources in such a manner that the State was recently declared as best in the transparency and accountability index among other States in Nigeria.
An excited governor Fubara further stated that, “They also said we are not going to do anything, but by the special grace of God we have embarked on projects that are impacting the lives of Rivers people.”
“Again, we have shown prudence in the management of our State’s resources and are accountable. Yesterday, you saw the report that Rivers State was declared first in transparency and accountability amongst States in Nigeria.”
“We made a promise to you that we will continue to defend and protect the interest of Rivers people genuinely and we are not going back on that. With your support, we will journey to the end.”
In his sermon, Rev. Dr. Uma Ukpai sued for peace in Rivers State and called on all to shield their sword as there is much hardship in the land.
He said the things that have happened to the citizens are enough wake up calls, adding that the country must be healed.
The Clergy commended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and those who put together the thanksgiving programme as nothing is too difficult for God to handle.
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