By Micheal Duru
…declares end to Rivers crisis
PORT HARCOURT: Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has explained that he resisted to challenge the legality of his suspension and declaration of Emergency Rule in his state because of his intere in peace and development of the state.
Fubara, who spoke in a Statewide Broadcast, Friday evening, after his return to resume office, said he chose to cooperate with President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly because of his conviction that no sacrifice was too great to secure peace, stability, and progress in the state.
He reclled that the state was placed under a six-month emergency rule, declared by Tinubu, following the intense political crisis in our State regretting that the period was challenging to the state.
Fubara said: “It is without doubt that the last six months had been enormously challenging for our dear State under the emergency rule.
“As your Governor, I accepted to abide by the state of emergency declaration and chose to cooperate with Mr. President and the National Assembly, guided by my conviction that no sacrifice was too great to secure peace, stability, and progress of Rivers State.
“This was why I also resisted the pressure to challenge the constitutionality of the declaration of a state of emergency, the suspension of democratic institutions, and all other actions that we endured during this difficult period.”
He noted that within the six months, that the President brokered the peace process with all the parties successfully, noting that the Minister of the Federal Capital, Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and himself as Governor, all accepted to bury the hatchet and embrace peace and reconciliation in the best interest of the state.
He declared that the political crisis in the state was now over, noting that the interest now was to work for the peace and development of the State.
He said: “We believe the political crisis is now behind us and that peace and stability have once again returned to Rivers State, though not without the hard lessons learnt from the emergency rule.
“The responsibility now rests squarely on us: the Government, the State House of Assembly, political leaders and stakeholders to put aside our differences, work for the common good, and advance the interests of our people above all else. We have a duty to ensure that the peace we have all embraced remains permanent in our dear Rivers State.
“On behalf of the Government and the good people of Rivers State, I extend our heartfelt gratitude to Mr. President for his fatherly disposition and decisive interventions in resolving the political crisis and for graciously restoring full democratic governance to our State.
“Personally, I will never take Mr. President’s kindness for granted, and for that, I hereby reaffirm my utmost loyalty and eternal gratitude.”
Fubara assure the people of the state that nothing was lost, urging the people of the state to see rhe period as another beginning.
“To those who have expressed genuine fears, frustrations, and uncertainty over the nature of the peace process, I assure you that your concerns are valid and understood. However, nothing has been irretrievably lost; there remains ample opportunity for necessary adjustments, continued reconciliation, and inclusiveness. We must all remember the saying… ” the costliest peace is cheaper than the cheapest war”.
“Accordingly, let us, therefore, embrace this moment as a fresh beginning. Let us work together with renewed hope and determination to build a stronger, more peaceful and prosperous Rivers State. I assure you that we will continuously work towards ensuring that we carry everyone along.”
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