Rivers State governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has warned that he will surprise those who consider his honest decision to implement the presidential peace accord on the political crisis in the State as a sign of weakness.
The governor said he had been inundated with several comments in the media about the implementation of the peace pact, and had chosen to be silent out of maturity and wisdom.
He, however, said it was important to put the records straight for clarity, and explained that when President Bola Tinubu intervened in the political crisis that engulfed the State on October 30, 2023, the agreement that was accepted was a political solution.
Fubara spoke on Wednesday when he received members of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) from the 23 Local Government Areas of Rivers State on a solidarity rally at Government House, Port Harcourt.
The governor said he had since then commenced implementation of the Abuja Agreement, solely because of his respect for President Tinubu, but cautioned that it appears that other political actors have taken his humility and compliance as a sign of weakness.
He said: “Let me say it here for record purposes: What is happening here in our dear State is somebody who has respect for an elder.
“Mr. President invited all the parties to Abuja, and came out with a resolution that we should go and implement. That resolution, I am implementing it. It is not a constitutional implementation. It is a political solution to a problem.
“And I am doing it because of the respect I have for Mr President. But, let me say it here, if that action that I have accepted to take would be seen as a weakness, I will surprise them. I want this message to go to them.”
He said the large number of NULGE members further goes to prove the nature of the organic support his administration has continued to enjoy from the people of the State.
Fubara said: “Some days ago, somebody said we are busy renting crowd for thanksgiving. But what I have seen here today, it’s not different from what is happening at those thanksgiving rallies. People are just appreciating God and good governance.”
The governor stated that he was mindful of the legacy he would bequeath after his tenure, saying: “It should also be about the lives that have been touched genuinely; about the policies implemented without any inducement, to better the lives of the people and the society.”
He urged the people to continue to support his administration, show understanding over actions taken, and obey the rules in a peaceful manner.
Fubara said: “When you are doing what is right, I will stand by you. Nobody, whether full or half is going to intimidate you. Brace up, I say brace up, because the next step, it will be fire for fire in Rivers State. Everything will be implemented.”
The governor stated that already local government workers have started receiving N30,000.00 minimum wage with promotion to be implemented beginning from April salary payment.
He also promised to set in motion plans to finalise modalities for the implementation of the Consolidated Salary Scale for Grade Level 17, and regular payment of benefits to the local government service retirees.
Fubara said: “For our people, the great and wonderful people of Rivers State, we will continue to lead you with the fear of God.
“Maturity is not about age, maturity is in the person. It is what defines the character of a person. I chose not to respond to people that I assumed are matured, but are obviously immature in attitude.
“I will continue to be mature, not minding my age, but I will not, for any reason, allow myself or anybody who is working with me in this Administration to be messed up with, maltreated or abused in the cause of administering this governance.”
