By Omeiza Ajayi, Luminous Jannamike & Daniel Abia
PORT HARCOURT — Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, warned yesterday that oil production in the state will be threatened, if there was any further violence or attacks in the state.
This came on a day the state government also constituted a seven-man judicial commission to investigate the arson perpetrated in the state by thugs on Monday, which resulted in the setting ablaze of four local government secretariats.
However, for the first time since the election on Saturday, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, last night reacted to the political development in the state, accusing Governor Fubara, of being the main architect of the political crisis and violence that had engulfed the state in recent times.
But Fubara gave the warning against the backdrop of the setting ablaze of four local government secretariats by thugs on Monday.
The governor also said his administration will not fold its arms and watch sponsored political thugs run berserk and commit arson in the state.
Fubara, who spoke while swearing in five new commissioners appointed by his government in Port Harcourt yesterday, said:
I stand on the path of peace — Fubara
“As your leader, the one steering the ship, I assure you that I will not mislead anyone of you. I still stand on the path of peace. We have cases of arson in some local government areas.
“But I appreciate your calmness. I have always maintained that we are going to be the greatest losers, if we meet them force-for-force. We need to go with peace.
“So, I will encourage everyone of you not to follow them with violence. We are carrying a basket of precious eggs in our hands. So, we need to follow them with care and wisdom.
“We are in a situation where the funds being generated from oil production are not sufficient to tackle the challenges of Nigeria, and every hand has to be on deck to make sure there is an increase in production.
“Our focus here, not minding the distractions, will be how to provide support. You have to work with us to make sure we curb this issue of oil theft and pipeline vandalism.
“This is the only way the allowances (revenue) will increase and more will also come to our state, and more progress will also be achieved in this state.”
He noted that if oil theft is not checked, the country’s economy will be badly impacted, adding that there will not be sufficient funds to address critical issues.
The governor said his government will not fold its arms and allow political thugs to wreak havoc in the state, assuring that working with the Nigerian Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS), measures will be taken to unravel those behind the recent burning of council secretariats at Ikwerre, Emohua and Eleme Local Government areas, with a view to making them account for their atrocities.
Governor Fubara recalled mentioning when he swore in newly elected local government councils’ chairmen on October 6, 2024, that there was intelligence on planned mayhem by misguided persons, who had threatened to prevent the elected officers from resuming duties.
He noted that the sponsored political thugs hatched their plans, and burnt valued buildings at some council secretariats.
“I said it before it happened. I knew because they were unhappy, they would go the extra mile to create disaffection in the minds of the good people of Rivers State.
“We want to also let the people know that what has happened (arson) after the election, we are not going to allow it go uninvestigated.
“A similar event had happened in this manner before, and after some weeks, some of our supporters were declared wanted in order to turn the story around.
“But this time around, I strongly believe, with the support and cooperation of the Nigerian Police and the Department of State Services, DSS, we will unravel those behind the assault and make sure they account for their atrocities.”
He commended patience and calmness displayed by majority of Rivers people, despite the fact that they were angry with the reckless acts of the misguided miscreants.
The governor said he has continued to show leadership, provided the climate that has engendered productive endeavours, and would not mislead those he is leading.
Governor Fubara explained that his administration is doing a lot for the people of the state, lamenting that what he is doing was not being seen because of the political drama that diverts their attention.
He, however, said that his administration is working out modalities, and will soon choose a day, which could probably be before the end of October, 2024, to showcase a few projects and services that have positively impacted lives in the state.
He congratulated the newly sworn-in commissioners for making it into the Rivers State Executive Council, stressing that more persons whose loyalty is to Rivers people and the administration, need to be admitted into the state executive council to help drive the policy of government.
“We want to be sure, at this point, who we are adding into the Council, so that we will not wake up one morning and see resignation letter. So, we are taking our time.
“Usually, after a normal political period, there used to be what we call balancing. So, I can also say that the new commissioners that are coming in are coming from their zones to also balance the political equation,’’ he said.
The governor charged the new commissioners to be dedicated, forthright, diligent and productive while rendering quality services to the state.
Governor Fubara said he believes in their capacity to deliver because of their exposure to the workings of government, and expressed hope that they will contribute positively to the success of his administration.
Those sworn in included Israel Ngbuelu; Evans Bipi; Mr. Otamiri Ngubo; and Mr. Benibo Anabraba.
Rivers govt sets up seven-man judicial commission into arsonists’ attacks
Meanwhile, Rivers State government has set up a judiciary commission of inquiry into the arson, killings and other forms of violence that occurred in the state on Monday.
Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, said in a statement yesterday that the setting up of the judicial commision was pursuant to Section 2(1) of the Commissions of Inquiry Law, Cap 30, Laws of Rivers State of Nigeria, 1999.
The statement read: “His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers State, has approved the setting-up of a judicial commission of inquiry into the arson, killings, and wanton destruction of property at some local government council headquarters which occurred on or about Monday, October 7, 2024.”
The panel, headed by Justice I.R. Minakiri as chairman, also has Barrister Felicia Nwoke; Prof. Blessing Didia; Sir Samuel Egbe; Venerable Alex Usifor; Barrister Uzor Ikenga; and Mrs Inyingi Brown as members.
Members of the commission, according to the statement, will be sworn-in today by Governor Fubara.
Fubara, main architect of Rivers crisis — Wike
Speaking last night on the situation in the state, FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, said Fubara should be held liable for the tense politicial atmosphere in the state.
Wike, who spoke on a Channels Television programme, Politics Today, monitored in Abuja, said: “Obeying the rule of law and not rule of power is the only thing that can bring peace. There is peace when you obey court judgments, when you allow the rule of law to prevail.’’
On how the issue in Rivers started, Wike said the governor planned a failed coup, adding that “the problem is that he planned a coup to remove speaker of the State House of Assembly and the coup boomeranged.’’
He also disclosed that his lawyers had been instructed to challenge the validity of the judicial panel of inquiry which Governor Fubara said he would put in place in the wake of the post-election violence in the state.
According to him, since Fubara has already accused his political opponents of being behind the violence, all the governor needs to do is to get the security agencies to arrest them and not waste taxpayers money on any panel.
“I have told our lawyers to go and set aside that rubbish. What is the judicial panel of inquiry for when the governor says he knows his political opponents were behind the arson? It is a waste of public funds,’’ he said.
Wike also denied claims by Fubara that he had knelt down for him, begging him to allow peace reign in the state.
He said: “First of all, I deny that fact. Never. He didn’t kneel for me. What offence did you commit? That is not correct”.
Rivers Crisis: Speak truth to power, don’t sugarcoat it, Bishop Onuoha tells leaders
Reacting to the development in Rivers yesterday, Methodist Bishop, Dr. Sunday Onuoha, warned that the crisis in Rivers State could escalate into a national emergency if urgent action was not taken.
Briefing journalists in Abuja, Bishop Onuoha appealed to elder statesmen and individuals of conscience nationwide to intervene, cautioning those fueling political instability in the state to desist.
He emphasized the need for truth and accountability in addressing the crisis.
The cleric, who expressed deep concern over the present situation in the state, said: “I am deeply worried about the situation in Rivers State and its impact on innocent people.
‘’Individuals are taking the law into their hands, and I cannot understand why this is happening. I question why law enforcement agencies have not taken action.
“Elder statesmen should be forthright and caution those fueling instability in Rivers State, lest something terrible occurs.
“This is the moment to save that state from crisis and, ultimately, to protect Nigeria from an impending political turmoil that could engulf our democracy.”
