‘Peace Is Priceless’, Gov Fubara Apologises Over Rivers Crisis

Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has apologised to the residents of the state for the ‘regrettable anxiety’ induced by the political crisis earlier this week.

He additionally acknowledged President Bola Tinubu, Rivers Elders and his fellow governors for their intrusions.

VerseNews reports that in a statement that he signed, titled “Peace Is Priceless”, the Governor recalled the events stemming from the fire incident at the State Assembly Complex on Sunday night, which had created a division in the House, and the subsequent visit he paid to the Assembly Complex.

He noted that his actions were ultimately intended to restore peace and stability in Rivers State.

He expressed that as one striving for peace, his top priority is the progress of the state, and he is willing to make any sacrifice necessary to attain this goal.

Fubara asserted that he and his predecessor, the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, both have the responsibility to use the resources, privileges, and influence conferred upon them, both inside and outside of the state, to foster prosperity, safety, and welfare for the people of Rivers State.

Read the full statement below:

RIVERS STATE GOVERNMENT

PRESS STATEMENT

*PEACE IS PRICELESS

MY DEAR GOOD PEOPLE OF RIVERS STATE.

I CONSIDER IT NECESSARY TO ISSUE THIS PRESS STATEMENT ON THE DEVELOPMENTS OF THE PAST FEW DAYS IN OUR DEAR STATE.

LATE ON SUNDAY NIGHT, 29TH OCTOBER 2023, I WAS INUNDATED WITH REPORTS THAT THE HALLOWED CHAMBER OF THE RIVERS STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY HAS BEEN GUTTED BY FIRE. THE BLAZE WAS PUT OUT BY THE FIRE SERVICE, AFTER WHICH SECURITY AGENCIES TOOK CONTROL OF THE SITUATION.

MY VISIT TO THE ASSEMBLY COMPLEX ON MONDAY, 30TH OCTOBER 2023 WAS TO ASSESS THE LEVEL OF DAMAGE AND UNDERTAKE REMEDIAL MEASURES TO PROTECT LIVES AND PROPERTY WITHIN THE ASSEMBLY COMPLEX. I CHARGED THE SECURITY AGENCIES TO THOROUGHLY INVESTIGATE THE INCIDENT AND REPORT TO ME.

SHORTLY AFTER, I GOT REPORTS THAT THE STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY HAD BROKEN INTO TWO FACTIONS: ONE CLAIMING TO HAVE IMPEACHED AND SUSPENDED THE HOUSE LEADER AND 3 OTHERS PREPARATORY TO INITIATING AN IMPEACHMENT ACTION AGAINST ME, AND THE OTHER RIVAL FACTION IMPEACHING THE SPEAKER AND DEPUTY SPEAKER, THUS SPARKING OFF SOME FORM OF POLITICAL CRISIS.

I WISH TO THANK THE PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, HIS EXCELLENCY BOLA AHMED TINUBU, GCFR, FOR HIS FATHERLY INTERVENTION WHICH OPENED A SERIES OF COMMUNICATION CHANNELS TO FACILITATE THE TIMELY RESOLUTION OF THE FESTERING CRISES. I WISH TO ALSO THANK OUR ELDERS WHO ARE CURRENTLY INTERVENING IN THE MATTER.

LET ME CLEARLY STATE THAT MY ACTIONS ARE AIMED AT RESTORING PEACE AND STABILITY IN OUR STATE. I AM A MAN OF PEACE AND AS GOVERNOR, THE ADVANCEMENT OF OUR STATE IS MY PRIMARY CONCERN. CONSEQUENTLY, NO SACRIFICE IS TOO MUCH FOR ME TO MAKE TO ACHIEVE THIS OBJECTIVE.

FURTHERMORE, IT IS THE COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE IMMEDIATE PAST GOVERNOR AND MINISTER OF THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, HIS EXCELLENCY, CHIEF BARRISTER, EZENWO NYESOM WIKE, GSSRS, LIFE BENCHER AND MY HUMBLE SELF, TO LEVERAGE ON OUR POSITIONS AND INFLUENCES WITHIN AND OUTSIDE THE STATE TO ADVANCE THE PROGRESS, SECURITY AND WELL-BEING OF OUR PEOPLE.

WE MUST THEREFORE NOT ALLOW CIRCUMSTANCES THAT COULD RETARD ALL EFFORTS AT ACHIEVING GREATNESS FOR OUR PEOPLE TO PREVAIL.

ON MY PART, I AM ALWAYS WILLING AND READY TO EMBRACE THE PATH TO LASTING PEACE AND TRANQUILITY WITH A COMMITMENT TO CONSUMMATING ALL EFFORTS AND INITIATIVES BY MR. PRESIDENT AND OTHER WELL-MEANING NIGERIANS, INCLUDING MY BROTHER GOVERNORS AND THE ELDERS.

I ASSURE THE GOOD PEOPLE AND YOUTHS OF RIVERS STATE, THAT PEACE WILL CERTAINLY PREVAIL AND WE SHALL CONTINUE TO WORK TOGETHER TO ADVANCE THE PEACE, SECURITY, PROGRESS AND DEVELOPMENT OF OUR STATE.

AS GOVERNOR, I SINCERELY APOLOGISE TO THE GOOD PEOPLE OF RIVERS STATE FOR THE REGRETTABLE ANXIETIES OF THE LAST FEW DAYS, WHILE THANKING YOU ALL FOR YOUR CONCERNS, AND CONTINUED SUPPORT, LOVE, AND PRAYERS.

MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS OUR DEAR RIVERS STATE.

Signed

HIS EXCELLENCY,

SIR SIMINALAYI FUBARA, GSSRS,

GOVERNOR OF RIVERS STATE.

3RD NOVEMBER, 2023.