Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has warned out-going Local Government Chairmen in the state that they would be personally held liable for any injury they inflict on any person in the state.
The Governor pointed to an event that happened last Tuesday, where miscreants attacked some people who attended the inauguration of the Aleto-Ogale-Ebubu-Eteo road project while on their way home, stating that such show of animosity was utterly needless.
Governor Fubara gave the warning at Egbeda community, venue of the official flag-off of the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku road project in Emohua Local Government Area on Thursday.
In a mild warning to the LG chairmen, Fubara said: “Let me also say this here. When we left Aleto the other day, some people went there and attacked our people. There is no need for that.
“Nobody has the monopoly of violence. I should even be the one who should come out and shout that I will do this and that. But I don’t need to do that because both sides belong to me. I have taken oath to protect all.
“So, I am advising those people who call themselves local government chairmen: you have a few days in office. Please, conduct yourselves in a peaceful manner.”
Governor Fubara drew the attention of the LG chairmen to the reality of life after office, which should help them to become more circumspect.
He said, “Politics will come, politics will go, but we will still live our lives. Let nobody deceive you, if you deliberately hurt anybody, because of expressing your useless support, nobody will forgive you. You will pay for it.
“So, I’m begging everyone, please, conduct yourselves. As a matter of fact, I am the one that is most hit, and abused as a Governor who doesn’t know what to do with power. Is it not? Have I said anything?
“So, please, just endure until when you finish, then you go your way. I don’t want trouble. I don’t want anything that will bring any problem in this State. I know what they want to do, but we will not give them the opportunity.
“We have made our promise to our leader, who happens to be the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, that we will take the path of peace and that is the part we are taking.
“We will continue to take that path. Don’t mind what they say. Don’t mind what they do. Peace remains the path to take. While taking the path of that peace, it does not mean that we won’t defend ourselves, or let me describe it this way: we will not just be like a tree seeing someone coming to cut it down, and won’t do anything. No, no no. We need to also protect ourselves in a lawful manner,” the Governor stated.
