Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara on Thursday took further steps to mend his strained relationship with his predecessor, Nyesom Wike who is now the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, FCT.
Speaking at the opening of 2023/2024 legal year re-dedication church service held at St. Cyprian’s Anglican Church, Hospital Road in Port Harcourt, Fubara declared his loyalty to his predecessor, who he said remains his boss regardless of the events of the past few days.
The outing was the first appearance by Fubara at a public event since the bombing of Rivers House of Assembly by yet-to-be identified arsonists precipitated political crises and tension in the state,
A faction of lawmakers in the Assembly led by Martin Amaewhule who are believed to be loyal to Wike had served an impeachment notice on the Governor the morning after the Chamber was bombed.
The lawmakers claimed loyalists of Fubara in the House of Assembly were behind the bombing of the chambers to stop the impeachment move.
However, another faction of the lawmakers later elected a loyalist of the Governor Edison Ehie as Speaker.
While the Rivers House Assembly has since then remained under lock and key, two injunctions have been obtained to stop the impeachment move against the Governor.
On his part, Wike had attributed the fallout between him and the man he fought tooth and nail to install as his successor to attempt to disrupt the political structure in Rivers State.
However, both parties have sheathed their swords following the intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other stakeholders.
Toeing the reconciliation route, Fubara said at the event on Thursday that he never recruited anybody to malign Wike or anybody else.
He also appealed to Rivers people to put behind them the discomfort created by the political tension and join efforts by his administration to ensure continuous peace and development in the State.
Fubara said it was important for Rivers people to also embrace the peace so that the planned development for the State can be achieved.
“We have a mission to give you development. We also know that the devil will always come in, one way or the other, but the important thing is for us to identify it and push the devil out of our road so that we can continue.
“So, I want to thank you for your support and also say that we need peace. Everybody should just relax, and realise that we need peace for us to progress in the State, which is only possible in the atmosphere of tranquility.”
He also acknowledged that this year’s legal year opening event is his first formal meeting with the legal community since he became the Governor a little over five months ago felt truly honoured.
The Rivers State Governor commended the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Chibuzor-Amadi for his leadership and resourcefulness,all our judges, magistrates, lawyers and judicial staff for their hard work and commitment to their duties in the face of the challenges of the times.
But Fubara stated that said despite their relentless efforts, he pointed out the judiciary is still a work in progress as more still need to be done.
He commended Rivers people for their support and pray that they continue to give their unalloyed support to his government to succeed.
In his sermon, captioned “Fear Not”, Bishop of the Diocese of Niger Delta, Rt. Rev. Emmanuel Oko-Jaja said the spirit of fear needs to be overcome by firm trust in God and urged the judicial officers to uphold the truth fearlessly in the discharge of their duties.
