Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that he would implement the presidential peace proclamation as presented by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, without compromising the interest of the people of the state.
Fubara, who made the declaration yesterday in a state-wide broadcast to mark the 2023 Christmas Day celebration, applauded Tinubu for intervening in the political crisis in the state.
The governor said: “I most heartily thank all the good people of Rivers State and all men and women of goodwill, even those beyond our shores, for the massive love and support we have received and continues to enjoy before and during the recent travails that challenged the peace of our state and stability of our government.
“Let me also use this opportunity to express our profound gratitude to our dear President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, HIs Excellency, President Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, GCFR, for wading into the near crisis situation that almost punctuated the prevailing peace in our dear state.
“Indeed, by this singular effort, our dear President has demonstrated that he loves Rivers State and cherishes nothing short of a reign of perfect peace in our state with his Presidential Peace Proclamation on the 18th of December 2023.
“Mr. President’s Peace Proclamation has naturally elicited mixed reactions from our people and across the country. While most stakeholders have violently condemned it, a few others have applauded It.
“As a principal participant in the entire saga, I have taken some time to study the terms therein and have come to the conclusion that the Peace Pact is not as bad as it is being portrayed by those genuinely opposed to it. It is certainly, not a death sentence. It offers some way towards a lasting peace and stability in our dear state.
“Accordingly, I reaffirm my acceptance of the Presidential Peace Proclamation and my commitment to implementing both the spirit and letters of the declaration in such a way and manner that will restore political stability to our dear State without compromising the collective interest of our people and our cherished and shared democratic values.
“Already, both parties have demonstrated some good faith in the implementation process with the withdrawal of the purported impeachment notice on their part, and the release of hitherto withheld allowances of the members of the State House of Assembly by the government.
“I have said before, there is no price too much to pay for peace. And with the realization that the worst peace is better than the best war, we will strive to make peace with all segments and interest groups without surrendering our freedom nor jeopardizing the interest and well-being of the good people of Rivers State who graciously entrusted us with their cherished mandate.”
He stated that 2024 will witness a speedy transformation of the state with the completion of most of projects and programmes of the administration, sections of the Port Harcourt Ring Road, the Andoni section of the Unity Road, the Ahoada-Omoku Road and the Emohua-Degema Road, amongst others.
