The Rivers State Governor is teaming up with the police and DSS to catch the people responsible for the recent attacks on council secretariats in Ikwerre, Emohua, and Eleme.
Fubara made it clear that his administration won’t tolerate political thugs causing chaos. He said they will arrest the suspects and make them pay for their crimes.
The governor said his government started an investigation on the killings and blast.
Everything went back to normal in the 23 local government areas of Rivers State yesterday, as the elected council chairmen resumed work.
But the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, said it was Fubara who started the violence on Monday by not obeying a court order that stopped the local government election.
The new Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, Mr. Bala Mustapha, said yesterday that his main focus is bringing back peace to the state. Mustapha gave a heads up to the criminals to either change or leave the state.
Fubara, who spoke yesterday while swearing in four new commissioners at Government House, Port Harcourt, mentioned that there was intel about some troublemakers planning to stop the elected officers from starting their jobs.
He stated, “I said it before it happened. I knew because they were unhappy, they would go extra miles to create disaffection in the minds and hearts of the good people of Rivers State.
“We want to also let the people know that what has happened (arson) after the election, we are not going to allow it to go uninvestigated.
“A similar event had happened in this manner before, and after some weeks, some of our supporters were declared wanted in order to turn the story around.
“But this time around, I strongly believe, with the support and cooperation of the Nigeria Police and the Department of State Services (DSS), we will unravel those behind the assault and make sure that they account for their atrocities.”
“As your leader, the one steering the ship, I assure you I will not mislead anyone of you. I still stand on the path of peace. We have cases of arson in some local government areas.
“But I appreciate your calmness. I have always maintained that we are going to be the greatest losers, if we meet them force-for-force. We need to go with peace.
“So, I will encourage everyone of you not to follow them with violence. We are carrying a basket of precious eggs in our hands. So, we need to follow them with carefulness and wisdom.”
“We are in a situation where the fund that is being generated from oil production is not sufficient to tackle the challenges of Nigeria, and every hand has to be on deck to make sure that there is increase in production.
“Our focus here, not minding the distractions, will be how to provide support. You have to work with us to make sure that we curb this issue of oil theft and pipeline vandalism.
“This is the only way that the allowances (revenue) will increase and more will also come to our state, and more progress will also be achieved in this state.”
“So, I have decided to take this action to find out the immediate and remote causes of this arson, most importantly, no matter the personalities involved, we must bring them to book.
“So, this assignment is a very important. It is an assignment that, if it is not done rightly, would give the enemies of this state opportunity to continue.
“And if we are right, it is going to be the end of further destruction of public property in the state. I know it is going to be very tasking. I can assure you that there will be threats, but you have to be strong.”
Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, said Governor Siminalayi Fubara instigated Monday’s violence in Rivers State by disobeying an order of the court that stopped the local government election.
Nyesom Wike said on TV that while nobody in their right mind would back violence, we need to ask why it happened and understand the context.
The minister said Fubara’s investigation won’t work because the governor already blamed the “opposition” for the violence.
Opinion: Fubara Vows to Expose Attackers of Rivers Council Secretariats
One thing I appreciate about Governor Fubara is his choice to choose peace over conflicts.
I remember when this whole power tussle started, he was doing everything to make peace with his predecessor but to no avail.
Peace will always triumph over conflicts, same way light over darkness.
This is quality of a good leader.