Politics
Fubara Speaks On Tinubu’s Intervention In Rivers Crises
Fubara Speaks On Tinubu’s Intervention In Rivers Crises
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, on Wednesday, explained that the intervention of President Bola Tinubu in the crisis between him and his estranged political godfather, Nyesom Wike, was political and not constitutional.
He said he was committed to implementing the eight-point resolution reached at the mediation meeting with Tinubu in Abuja last year October out of respect for the President.
He, however, warned that he would surprise those who consider his honest decision to implement the presidential peace pact as a sign of weakness.
Fubara said he had been inundated with several comments in the media about the implementation of the peace initiative and had chosen to be silent out of maturity and wisdom.
The governor, however, said it was important to put the records straight for clarity, saying when President Bola Tinubu, in October last year, intervened in the political crisis that engulfed the state, the agreement that was accepted was a political solution.
This was contained in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Wednesday by Fubara’s Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chulwudi.
Fubara said he had commenced the implementation of the agreement out of respect for President Tinubu.
The statement by the government comes in the wake of the renewed threat of impeachment against Fubara by 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to ex-governor Nyesom Wike.
The lawmakers had expressed their displeasure that Fubara did not comply with the part of the eight-point resolution to present the 2024 budget afresh to the lawmakers.
They threatened that they must revisit their suspended planned impeachment proceedings against the governor.
However, in his statement on Wednesday, Fubara said, “Let me say it here for record purposes: What is happening here in our dear state is about somebody who has respect for an elder.
“Mr. President invited all the parties to Abuja, and came out with a resolution that we should go and implement. That resolution, I am implementing it. It is not a constitutional implementation. It is a political solution to a problem.
“And I am doing it out of the respect I have for Mr President. But, let me say it here, if that action that I have accepted to take would be seen as a weakness, I will surprise them. I want this message to go to them.”
Fubara, who received members of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees from the 23 local government areas of Rivers State on a solidarity rally at Government House Gate, in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, said their large number was further proof of the nature of the organic support his administration had continued to enjoy from the people of the state.
“Some days ago, somebody said we were busy renting crowd for thanksgiving but what I have seen here today, it’s not different from what is happening at those thanksgiving rallies. People are just appreciating God and good governance.”
Fubara stated that he was mindful of the legacy he would bequeath after his tenure, saying, “It should also be about the lives that have been touched genuinely; about the policies implemented without any inducement to better the lives of the people and the society.”
The governor urged the people to continue to support his administration, show understanding over actions taken, and obey the rules in a peaceful manner.
He said, “When you are doing what is right, I will stand by you. Nobody, whether full or half is going to intimidate you. Brace up, I say brace up, because the next step, it will be fire for fire in Rivers State. Everything will be implemented.”
He added: “For our people, the great and wonderful people of Rivers State, we will continue to lead you with the fear of God.
“Maturity is not about age, maturity is in the person. It is what defines the character of a person. I choose not to respond to people that I assumed are mature, but are obviously immature in attitude.
“I will continue to be mature, not minding my age, but I will not, for any reason, allow myself or anybody who is working with me in this administration to be messed with, maltreated or abused in the cause of administering this governance.”
In his speech, the Rivers State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, Clifford Paul, told the Governor that they were on a thank-you rally to show appreciation for his love for the workers.
Breaking: Speaker Obasa Debunks Allegation Of Spending N17b On Assembly Gate
The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, on Thursday described the allegation that the House spent N17 billion on the fixing of a gate as spurious and funny.
A self-proclaimed group, Lagos State Anti-Corruption Coalition, had accused the Assembly of spending the amount to construct a gate. The group also sought investigation of the claim.
Speaking at plenary, Dr. Obasa said the allegation stemmed from the fear of some people over 2027 which is still more than two years away.
Obasa further debunked the claim that the House spent N200 million on its recently organised 22nd thanksgiving service for staff.
“It is so funny. How much is the allocation of the Assembly in the whole year that we will decide to spend N17 billion on a gate? They even claimed that we expended 200 million on thanksgiving that did not hold.
“We are aware that at a period like this when we are approaching elections in 2027, we should expect such things. I think some people are scared and I don’t know why.
“This House did not and has not embarked on any such project. We are not that reckless. We had our thanksgiving last Friday and dignitaries from various parts of the State attended it,” the Speaker said.
Addressing further claims by the group about the alleged relationship between him and the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, the Speaker denied attending the latter’s screening and confirmation by the National Assembly.
“They said that I was at the National Assembly when they were confirming the EFCC chairman. I want to believe that there are CCTV cameras at the National Assembly to identify those who attended the event. The press must have written about it too. So the group should do more to confirm if I was there.
“This is just to deny the allegations in the interest of the public and not the writers because the writers are not those we should be joining words with,” the Speaker said.
Earlier, the House, through its spokesperson, Hon. Stephen Ogundipe, had addressed the allegations noting that the Assembly bases its activities on integrity, transparency and accountability.
“It is ludicrous the claim about constituency intervention funds and constituency project funds and their handling by Speaker Mudashiru Obasa and Clerk of the House, Barr. Olalekan Onafeko as claimed by the group.
“One would have expected a self-acclaimed anti-corruption crusading group to do its groundwork before jumping across the fence with conviction that it hit a jackpot to malign an institution of repute in the name of politics.
“Simply put, the Lagos State House of Assembly does not have any such funds. The Assembly does not embark on constituency projects. Instead, once every year, the House holds stakeholders’ meetings simultaneously across the state where constituents have the opportunity to tell the lawmakers their expectations and make requests for the betterment of the state.
“These requests and expectations are compiled and sent to the executive arm of government for consideration as inputs in subsequent budgets. If this is what the group takes as constituency intervention or project funds, we are sure this explanation has given the required education, moreover, it is common knowledge that it is the responsibility of the Executive arm to execute such projects,” the earlier statement by Ogundipe read.
Eromosele Ebhomele
Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
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