Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, has explained that in seeking peaceful resolution to the political crisis that erupted in the state last year, he had attended several reconciliation meetings, which resolutions the other party had rebuffed.
This is as he declared that members of the Rivers State House of Assembly led by the Speaker, Hon. Martins Amaewhule, are no longer lawmakers.
Fubara spoke yesterday evening when he received on courtesy visit the Bayelsa State delegation of political and traditional leaders, led by former governor of the state, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, at the Government House in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
The governor said he had acted like the big brother in the crisis, not interested in destroying the ‘house’, so that meaningful development can continue to be engendered in the state while securing tenable political relationship
He said, “But I know that I have always taken the path of peace. I have shown respect. I’ve subjected myself to every meeting of reconciliation for peace. And what happens, each time we come out from such meetings, we are faced with one thunder or lightening.”
He stated that when he assumed office, it was with the resolve to build on the existing foundation of development of past leaders, especially the immediate past governor.
Fubara said it would have been out of the ordinary to engage in any political fight when there was so much work to be done for the state and its people as their governor.
The governor said he strongly felt that it was proper to set some records straight about what had become of a minor problem that was not uncommon in every human relationship.
He said: “But it is a bad thing when the problem that ought not to be anything, becomes something, and in fact, gets out of the bedroom to the sitting room and to the compound. That is the case of Rivers State today.
“I am also happy that you even mentioned the issues, even when I have all the instruments of State powers. I have shown restrain, and I believe that whoever is alive and have been following the activities of our dear State, knows that I have acted as a big brother in the course of this crisis.
“I have not acted like a young man that may want the house to be destroyed but I have behaved like a matured young man that I am. This is because I know that no meaningful development will be achieved in an atmosphere of crisis.
“And because our intention for Rivers State is to build on the foundation that had been laid by our past leaders, it will be wrong for me to take the path of promoting crisis. That is why we are still recording the development that you are hearing around Rivers Stat,” he said.
In his remark earlier, Dickson said their visit was one of solidarity with Fubara and Rivers people who have shown maturity in the face of the political crisis for stability and development to thrive.
He said, “Your Excellency, we will agree that no true brother or even good neighbour can stay unconcerned when the house of a brother or neighbour is on fire or have issue. Even if there is a small flame, a neighbour or a good brother should be concerned.”
