The Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, said, on Tuesday, that the resignation of the factional Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Edison Ehie, was so that peace could reign in the state.
The governor added that his decision to toe the path of peace in the Rivers political crisis was not out of fear but in the interest of peace.
He spoke at the maiden state banquet held by his administration in Government House Port Harcourt on Monday night to celebrate the New Year.
The PUNCH reports that Rivers State has been embroiled in a political crisis, following a move by 27 lawmakers loyal to ex-governor Nyesom Wike to impeach Fubara.
To forestall the impeachment, the Assembly complex was on the night of October 29 destroyed with an explosive, while the House was factionalised.
President Bola Tinubu later waded into the crisis by inviting the players to a parley in Abuja, during which a signed an eight-point resolution to resolve the crisis.
Though many said the resolutions were skewed in favour of Wike and warned Fubara against going ahead with it, the governor had insisted that he would abide by the terms of the resolution.
A few days ago, the Speaker of the Assembly faction, Ehie, who opposed the impeachment move, tendered his resignation from the legislature and wrote to inform the Independent National Electoral Commission of his decision.
Ehie, in his resignation, did not give any reason for his resignation.
Speaking on Monday, Fubara said all the steps that had been taken were calculated to ensure peace.
He said, “Whatever it will take, as seen in our decisions… Yesterday (Sunday), a lot of people were worried: why would the Speaker resign? It is to tell you what we can do for peace to reign.”
Fubara stated that his administration would not be enmeshed in any dirty political war that would hinder its developmental plans for Rivers State.
He said, “Every decision that we’ve taken is not borne out of fear but because we have the interest of our people and we have respect for elders
“I’m appealing to every one of us to embrace the peace. We need this peace because our intention for the state is not for our personal interest but for the development of the state.
“So, when we are faced with this type of situation we consider the actions and reactions. Who is going to suffer? Fubara will not suffer, but one million supporters will suffer.
“Our New Year message to our dear state, more especially this is our inaugural banquet to show that the government is alive.
“I want to leave you with only this message, we will not disappoint you. We also will not be involved in any dirty fighting because we know that we are going to be the losers.”
He said his administration was determined to leave a legacy of unity and development in Rivers State, and not a legacy of political apprehension.
In his welcome address, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo, expressed gratitude to God that despite the political turbulence in the state, Fubara remained focused on dispensing the dividends of democracy in the state.
According to him, Rivers State is blessed to have a governor who is “calculated, humble, honest and hard-working.”
He urged Rivers people to be apostles of peace, truth and justice for the state to continue on a trajectory of greatness.(Punch)
