Suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara,has confirmed that he and other stakeholders interested in restoring sustainable peace and ending the political crisis in the state, held several reconciliatory meetings, at the residence of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike as well as other venues.
Fubara made the clarification at a meeting with leaders and stakeholders of the Simplified Movement, as part of activities to mark his two years in office as Governor of Rivers State in Port Harcourt on Thursday, even though now truncated.
Fubara also urged his supporters, Rivers people and Nigerians to thank President Bola Tinubu for his swift intervention to salvage the State from looming anarchy arising from the festering political crisis.
President Tinubu had on March 18, suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and declared a state of emergency in the state, and appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as Sole Administrator.
Fubara expressed appreciation to the President for the actions taken as a father to restore peace, stability and good governance and assured of reconciliation with his bos and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, soon.
He also said the reconciliation process, which was a precursor to restoring all Executive and Legislative institutions and offices, assuring that true democracy will soon return in the state, as both parties are working together for the good of the people.
He said, “I want to assure you that the issues will soon be resolved, and you will come back to your offices; not just at the Executive arm, but also Legislative arm.
“And I also believe that the strong relationships we had before will return, and we will begin to work together again, for the good and progress of the state.
“What is important is for us to have a forgiving spirit,” he said.
Fubara also appealed to his supporters and all the Rivers people to fully be subject to the peace process to enable the state move forward.
“We are already in the peace process. I want you to thank Mr President for his timely intervention to salvage the situation, and stabilise the polity and the State.
“If not for Mr President, the story today would have been different.
“I don’t know how he gets his information, but the truth is that he acted with wisdom at the right time.
“He is the one you should thank. And let me also thank him personally for his interventions, and the personalities across the country, who moved in and appealed to him to intervene.
“We have to come down from our high horses, and subject ourselves to the peace process. And that is what we are doing. What is important is for the State to move forward. It is not about you, the interest of the State is paramount.”
He noted that but for the political situation, orchestrated by the crisis, the second year celebrations would have been used to showcase some of the key milestones recorded by the administration in various sectors across the State, and assured that the government would bounce back stronger, more united and engineered to deliver quality dividends of democracy to the people.
Fubara explained that those expressing anger and grievances have the right to do so, but quickly added that the time has come on everybody to embrace peace, pursue reconciliation and forgiveness for the development and progress of the State.
He pleaded for forgiveness from anyone who may have felt disappointed in his handling of the crisis, emphasizing that his actions were guided by a desire to protect the peace and progress of the State.
On the Minister of the FCT, Chief Wike, the embattled governor said, “there is no reason why there will not be peace between me and my Oga. There will be peace. We are meeting. We will reconcile.”
He added that he was indebted to the people for their sacrifices and opportunity to serve, the Governor promised to continue to show respect to the people of the syate, who entrusted him with the mandate.
“One important thing in this life is respect. I want to earn the respect of the people, not force it on them. I’m with you completely,” he said.
