The Governor of Rivers State Siminalayi Fubara has declared that there is no House of Assembly in the state, emphasising that those group of men claiming that they are assembly members are not existing, adding that that should be on record
Penpushing reports that Fubara made the declaration while hosting a delegation from Bayelsa State led by former Governor Seriake Dickson, which also include political and traditional rulers from Bayelsa State, at event held at Government House, Port Harcourt
The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor Chukwudi Nelson in a statement explained that Fubara accepted the peace deal to give the lawmakers a floating, stressing that there is nothing in peace accord that is a constitutional issue
“I accepted that peace accord to give them a floating. That’s the truth. There is nothing in that peace accord that is a constitutional issue. It is a political solution to a problem. I accepted it because these are people that were visiting me and we were together in my house’, the statement reads
‘These are people that I have helped… in many ways when I wasn’t even a governor. Yes, we might have our disagreements, but I believe that one day, we could also come together. That was the reason I did it’, it added.
‘But I think it has gotten to a time when I need to make a statement on this thing, so that they understand that they are not existing. Their existence and whatever they have been doing is because I allowed them to do so. If I don’t recognise them, they are nowhere, that is the truth. Let me say it here, those group of men who claim that they are assembly members, they are not existing. I want it to be on record’, Fubara said.
“I want you to see the sacrifice I have made to allow peace to be in our State. I can say here, with all amount of boldness, I have never called any policeman anywhere to go and harass anybody’, the Governor added.
‘I have never gone anywhere to ask anybody to do anything against anybody. But what happens to the people that are supporting me? They are being harassed, they are being arrested and detained. There is no week that somebody doesn’t come here with one letter of invitation for trump-up charges and all those things.
‘I am saying all these because of what my senior said here: restrain. I don’t think the other party has shown any restraint. I am the one that has shown restraint in the face of this crisis. I am the one that is badly hit, even when I have all the government instruments to shake up the table. But, why will I do it? I believe that peace is the best relationship to cultivate.”
Penpushing further reports that Fubara thanked the delegation for the solidarity visit to him and his government, pointing out that there is no complete Rivers State without Bayelsa State and vice versa, which demands that they continue to work together for development.
“We were separated because of political purposes to expand development, but we need to be united so that the economies of these two states will grow. There is no need for us to have any argument over assets, there is no need for us to have disagreement over issue of who owns this or who doesn’t own that. One way or the other, we are even inter-related. That is the truth. So, there is no need for fight’, he stated
Penpushing also reports that in his remarks during the visit, the former Governor explained that the visit was one of solidarity with Governor Fubara and Rivers people who have shown maturity in the face of the political crisis for stability and development to thrive.
‘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’, he said.
“We have come here as your brothers and as good neighbours also. But also in our own right as Rivers people because this State is our Mother State. And we are here to show support and solidarity with you, your government, and most importantly, solidarise with the good people of this State. We have also come with a message of peace and reconciliation, forgiveness, unity, mutual respect, political maturity and tolerance by all’, Dickson said.
Penpushing reports that as at the time of filing this report the Speaker of the House of Assembly Rt Hon Martin Amaewhule and the assembly spokesperson, Enemi George could not be reach for comment on the matter.
The Rivers State has been enmeshed in political crisis since October last year after some lawmakers backed by the immediate-past Governor of the state, Nyesom Wike, now a Minister attempted to impeach Fubara.
Penpushing further reports that the lingering crisis deteriorated till last December when President Tinubu brokered the peace between Wike and Fubara after the seats of 27 lawmakers loyal to the former Governor were declared vacant.
The Governor in the peace deal was asked to allow the pro-Wike lawmakers whose seats were declared vacant to return to the assembly with their rights and privileges restored, including conducting legislative business at a venue of their choice, while the lawmakers had since their restoration dispensed with Fubara assent to bills in the state.
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