Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has called on the state to embrace the lifting of the state of emergency and the return of democratic governance in the state, as a moment of fresh beginning.
Why I Didn’t Challenge Emergency Rule – Fubara
By Leadership News5 seconds ago
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has called on the state to embrace the lifting of the state of emergency and the return of democratic governance in the state, as a moment of fresh beginning.Advertisementhttps://imasdk.googleapis.com/js/core/bridge3.721.0_en.html#fid=goog_507525770
Fubara made the call yesterday in his first state-wide broadcast after the lifting of the emergency rule in the state by President Bola Tinubu.
“Accordingly, let us, therefore, embrace this moment as a fresh beginning. Let us work together with renewed hope and determination to build a stronger, more peaceful, and prosperous Rivers State.
‘‘I assure you that we will continuously work towards ensuring that we carry everyone along. Despite the turbulence, you are aware of the credible milestones our administration achieved in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and other key sectors over the last two years,” he said.
The governor stated that the responsibility now rests on the executive and legislative arms of government and stakeholders to put their differences behind and work for the common good of the state.
started by ensuring none of them is starved of funds or neglected, thereby reviving our economy, protecting lives and property, and improving the well-being of all Rivers people.
‘‘I commit to working harmoniously with the Rivers State House of Assembly to recover lost grounds and accelerate the social and economic advancement of our dear State. I also renew my pledge to serve with the fear of God, humility, and a high sense of duty,” he said.
Fubara had landed in Port Harcourt on Friday afternoon, more than 48 hours after the President lifted the state of emergency in the state, after keeping his supporters, who had gathered at the Government House gate, Port Harcourt, in suspense on Thursday.
The aircraft carrying the governor, who was accompanied by his wife, Lady Valer, and his Chief of Staff, Edison Ehie, touched down at the local wing of the Port Harcourt International Airport, where he was received by his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, and thousands of supporters who had gathered at the airport as early as 6:00 a.m. on Friday.
However, LEADERSHIP Weekend observed that apart from the Chairman of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area, Barrister James James, no other LGA chairman was at the airport to receive the governor. Also, members of the Rivers State House of Assembly were absent during the airport reception for the governor.
Meanwhile, former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Chief Onueze Okocha, has advised Governor Siminalayi Fubara to put the period of emergency rule behind him and focus on governance. Okocha, in an interview with newsmen in Port Harcourt, urged the governor not to bear grudges against anyone but to concentrate on delivering good leadership to the people of the state. The Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), who called on Fubara and the State House of Assembly to work together in the interest of the state, appealed for unity among political stakeholders to ensure peace and progress in the state.
Meanwhile, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has described as hasty the demand by members of the State House of Assembly to present a list of his commissioner-nominees for screening, as well as the presentation of a new Appropriation Bill before the House.
Eze, in a statement made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt, said it is too early for the lawmakers to interfere in the affairs of the executive arm of government, pointing out that such a demand clearly signals a categorical invitation to another regime of crisis.
He said: “It is surprising that the Rivers State House of Assembly is placing this demand on the Governor at a time when the people expected them to have a moment of quiet reflection, like the governor, on the avalanche of sabotage that has wrecked the common patrimony of Rivers people by strangers installed to plunder the common wealth and chart a new course for a holistic recovery through genuine reconciliation for the progress of the state.”
proper construction and interpretation of the provisions of Sections 1(2), 5(2), 176, 180, 188, and 305 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria can lawfully suspend or in any manner whatsoever interfere with the offices of a Governor and the Deputy Governor of any of the component 36 States of the Federation of Nigeria and replace same with his own unelected nominee as a Sole Administrator, under the guise of, or pursuant to, a Proclamation of a State of Emergency in any of the States of the Federation, particularly in any of the Plaintiffs’ States?
Credit: Leadership