Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has declared his openness towards the attainment of peace, even as he called on all involved in the political crisis to also embrace peace in the interest of peace and development of the state.
The Rivers logjam deepened on Wednesday as Fubara and 27 lawmakers of the state House of Assembly traded accusations over the governor’s failed attempt to re-present the 2025 Appropriation Bill before the Assembly.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike had mocked Fubara’s failed attempt to present an appropriation bill before the Assembly, adding that Fubara should be impeached if he was found to have committed an impeachable offence.
Speaking on Thursday during the inauguration of the 85-year-old Okrika Grammar School in Okrika Local Government Area, Fubara held that the State House of Assembly also had a duty to comply with the Supreme Court judgment.
He said, “It is important at this stage that we all embrace peace. The Supreme Court has made its judgment; we don’t have any option but to abide by it.
“And, by the special grace of God, we have started the process. We are appealing to other parties to consider the interest of Rivers State. The only thing that we owe this state is peace and development.
“I am open any day, any time for total peace in our State because if I have to govern well, there is a need for peace to prevail.”
Fubara’s appeal comes as several Ijaw stakeholders from the Kalabari Kingdom in Rivers State have planned a “grand reception” for the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Under the auspices of the New Associates, the Ijaw stakeholders said they are mobilizing to shut down the Asari-Toru Local Government Area during the reception scheduled for Saturday.
The Chairman, publicity committee, Enemi George, in a statement in Port Harcourt on Thursday, said chiefs, leaders, women and youths celebrated Wike as a friend of the Kalabari kingdom.
George said the event was arranged at Abalama town as a thanksgiving service and a grand civic reception in honour of the former governor for his love for the Kalabari Kingdom.
He stated, “All stakeholders in Kalabari are eagerly waiting to receive the FCT minister and to show him gratitude. March 15 has been set aside to celebrate Nyesom Wike for his love for the Kalabari kingdom and its people.
“He has done much for the kingdom and he deserves to be celebrated. We are calling on our chiefs, leaders, women, youths and stakeholders of the Kalabari kingdom to make that day special. “
Commenting on the Rivers logjam, a former member of the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State, Kingsley Wali has cautioned the governor of Rivers State against grandstanding, urging the governor to rather engage the Assembly.
Meanwhile, the political crisis rocking Rivers State took a new twist on Thursday as the Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly has asked the Department of State Services to investigate the State Chief Judge, Simeon Amadi over alleged age falsification.
At its sitting presided over by the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, the Assembly resolved to write the DSS following some documents presented by the House Leader, Major Jack.
A statement issued by the media aide to the Speaker, Martins Wachukwu after Thursday’s plenary said “Riding on Order 23 of the Standing Orders of the House, Major Jack laid a document on the table which alleged that Hon. Justice Amadi falsified his age in the civil service.”
Members argued that falsification is a serious offence, but the allegation must first be proven and urged relevant security agencies to help the House investigate the allegation.
Commenting, the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, stated that the House, though empowered to investigate by the provisions of Section 128 of the Constitution, the Governor of the State has barred all heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies not to appearing before the House or assist the House in the conduct of the investigation.
“So, the House is calling on the Department of State Service to institute an investigation on the alleged age falsification by the Chief Judge to ascertain the veracity or otherwise of the allegation, which will be forwarded to the National Judicial Council”.
In another development, the Speaker asked all Committees to submit their reports to the House before the House proceeds on recess, particularly, the House Committee on Public Complaints and Petitions.
Madukwe B. Nwabuisi is an accomplished journalist renown for his fearless reporting style and extensive expertise in the field. He is an investigative journalist, who has established himself as a kamikaze reporter.
