The Guardian (Nigeria)

Don’t dare me, Fubara warns Wike’s loyalists

- From Ann Godwin, Port Harcourt

RState Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has warned the camp of the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, not to see his honest decision to implement the presidenti­al peace pact as a sign of weakness, vowing to shock them if they dare him.

Fubara said he had been inundated with comments in the media about the implementa­tion of the peace initiative and had chosen to be silent out of maturity and wisdom.

He 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 was accepted as a political solution.

Fubara said he had since then commenced implementa­tion of the agreement, solely because of his respect for President Tinubu, but noted that it appeared that other political actors had taken his humility and compliance as a sign of weakness. Fubara stated this, yesterday 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 Gate, in Port Harcou .

The governor 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 we came out with a resolution that we should go and implement. That resolution, I am implementi­ng. 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 sa y it here, if that action that I ha ve accepted to take would be seen as a weakness, I will surprise them. I want this message to go to them.”

Fubara stated that he was mindful of the legacy he would bequeath after his tenure, adding: “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.”

The governor urged the people to continue to support his administra­tion, show understand­ing over actions taken, and obey the rules in a peaceful manner.

He said the large number of NULGE members, who visited him, further confirmed the nature of the organic support his administra­tion had continued to enjoy from the people of the state.

 ?? PHOTO: NAN ?? Vice President, Kashim Shettima ( fourth left), with Investment in Digital Creative Enterprise­s ( IDICE) Technical Committee members during their meeting at the Presidenti­al Villa in Abuja… yesterday.
PHOTO: NAN Vice President, Kashim Shettima ( fourth left), with Investment in Digital Creative Enterprise­s ( IDICE) Technical Committee members during their meeting at the Presidenti­al Villa in Abuja… yesterday.

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