His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, Governor of Rivers State
By MAUREEN DICK and ERIC MOORE
RIVERS State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has made a stunning revelation that he discovered he was being ambushed by the peace agreement he signed alongside the faction of the state House of Assembly that wanted to impeach him.
Fubara made the disclosure at a non-denominational thanksgiving to mark a year he survived an impeachment plot on October 30, 2023, by 27 pro-Wike lawmakers, in Port Harcourt, on Wednesday.
The governor clarified that it was not the initiator (President Bola Tinubu) of the peace accord that ambushed him, but those he thought were sincere about resolving the emerging crisis.
The state governor explained that it was at point of realising the hidden intention of other party involved in the peace agreement, that he decided not to play into their hands.
He condemned the lawmakers for not keeping to the peace agreement describing their actions as fraudulent.
Fubara explained: “We went to Abuja and Mr. President knowing the importance of peace for Rivers State, called out some conditions for peace.
“We came back here, in this State, to do everything that has to do with the conditions of the peace. We went to court immediately and withdrew our matters. And you call yourself honourable when you cannot obey simply instruction.
“I acted as an honourable. I discovered that I was being ambushed not by the person who initiated the peace.”
He thanked all the prominent Rivers people and other people that had support his government in the last one year for their doggedness to foul the plots of enemies of his government.
Governor Fubara expressed: “I am standing here because of all of you. A lot of people may not understand what happened on 30th of October, 2023.”
He reiterated his commitment to enthrone peace, acknowledging that his supporters had taken very difficult part for in that last one year.
Fubara continued: “We are still complete. Let me tell you, we are still intact. They said we’re not going to last for one week. We are here one year plus.
“They said we would not have local government chairmen. Today, we have local government chairmen.”
“They said commissioners should resign immediately. Today, we have more than 23 commissioners.
“They said they are not going to do anything; they are going to frustrate them, they are not going to succeed. By the grace of God, there are lots of projects that are touching the lives of the people.”
The governor said that his government has demonstrated prudence and transparency in the use of resources of the state, saying that recently, Rivers was commended for showing transparency and accountability by an external body.
He taunted his opponents: “I now ask the question, who is the winner? We are here to appreciate God for the way He did it one year ago, He will do it again.”
Speaking further, Governor Fubara said he would pay contractors, workers’ salaries and also release local government council funds.
He asked again: “I ask you again, who is the loser? Who is the loser? You see why you need to be happy? You see why you need to celebrate the righteousness of God?
According to the governor, success is when you are succeeding against the expectation of your detractors that you should fail.
Governor Fubara reiterated his resolve to ensure peace reigns in the state against all odds, thanking those supporting his government for the sacrifice the have paid.