Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, on Monday, swore in the immediate-past factional Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie, as the Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt.
The governor also swore in five new Special Advisers, including the immediate-past chairman of Obia/Akpor local government area, Hon. Solomon Ben Eke, and the immediate-past Chief of Staff of Ikwerre local government area, Dr. Darlington Orji.
Others sworn in as Special Advisers were Barrister Aminayanasam Fiberesima, Engr. Deeyah Bariene and Ohia Prince.
Recall that Ehie had on December 31, 2023 resigned from his position as speaker of a faction of the House loyal to Governor Fubara and also vacated his seat as member representing Ahoada-East 2 in the House of Assembly.
Addressing the newly sworn-in Chief of Staff and Special Advisers at Government House, Port Harcourt, Fubara warned them against sabotaging his government.
The governor declared that his administration and all contending challenges have been surrendered to God with the confidence that He will continue to intervene in a manner that will shock the world.
He stated that the purpose of governance is to render services even in the face of difficulties and their appointment serves as evidence that concrete machinery was being put in place to help solve those problems.
Fubara urged the appointees to see their appointment as a call to duty, rise to the occasion of adding value to governance and demonstrate that they are truly credible men of the State.
He said: “Let me add, don’t use this position to antagonise anybody, even in your localities. I want to speak to you and I will continue to say it, what God cannot do does not exist.
“That you succeeded in battle is not because of your power. It is the grace of God. When God says it will not happen again, whoever you are, it ceases from that moment. I am not appointing you today because I want you to go to your areas and start fighting, no.
“We have surrendered our situation to God and God is going to solve it in a way that will shock the world for everybody to know that God is always God. Please, I don’t want this position to be a platform for you to start stalking anyone. Do what you know is right.”
While also urging the new appointees to support the government in a way that will promote its image, Fubara also warned that there will be consequences should the re-admmitted commissioners who were sworn in last week attempt to work against his administration.
The governor said: “Let me also use this medium to direct the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) to assign the commissioners that were sworn in last week with their responsibilities.
“Let the SSG assign only those of you who are here today back to their former offices. Let it be part of my birthday gift to you.
“But let me also say this, coming and taking back your position is not for you to use it to destroy my government. Whatever it is that you’re doing, it is not about me. It is about the things that you can stand to defend and be proud of many years after.”
