Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has urged the people of Rivers to engage in their political activities with a strong sense of responsibility.
He emphasized that politics should not devolve into violence or the destruction of government properties funded by taxpayers.
He reiterated that he would leave office when his time comes. Fubara made these comments during his visit to the Ikwerre Local Government Council Secretariat in Isiokpo, where he assessed the extent of the damage inflicted by political thugs who set the council ablaze.
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This information was shared in a statement by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, in Port Harcourt on Monday.
The governor visited the site upon returning from Akwa Ibom State, where he joined fellow South-South governors and members of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum to express condolences to Governor Umo Eno on the passing of his wife, Pastor Patience.
Fubara expressed his disappointment over the incident, questioning why a Secretariat built by the former council chairman as a legacy project was being destroyed for political reasons.
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He said, ” I feel very sad seeing what has just happened in this council. I want to say this to the entire Rivers State: If you are called upon, play your politics with a sense of responsibility. We don’t need to kill ourselves. My time will come, and I will leave; do I need to burn the Government House?
“This council secretariat was built by the immediate past chairman, and for me, we know the history of this council, how he sought funds, and how it was executed. This is supposed to be a legacy project for him that whoever is going to come after now will continue to remember that at a certain time, certain persons built this for the LGA. But, look at what we are seeing here today. Must we go low in politics?”
Fubara voiced his disappointment that sponsored agents and adversaries of Rivers took advantage of the Inspector General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun’s, withdrawal of police presence to instigate terror in the councils.
The governor lamented that funds intended for the councils’ development will now be redirected to their rehabilitation, ultimately harming the community. He urged the people of Rivers to act responsibly in all situations, regardless of the level of provocation they may face.
He said, “There was an election on Saturday, and the new council chairmen were inaugurated yesterday (Sunday). We are aware of the boasting that they would not be allowed to access the secretariats. And we were happy in the early hours of this morning when the Inspector General of Police directed his men to vacate the premises for easy access for the newly elected officers to resume office; and immediately, they took advantage of that space to destroy government facilities.
“Who is the loser? The new council chairmen that are coming in, the funds that would be applied to other things would now be used to fix this place. Are we not acting as irresponsible people? This is an act of responsibility! Even if one advises you to go and destroy a government facility, are you not supposed to think twice?
“We all know where this is coming from. That is the truth. Everybody knows that this is not from my supporters. But, I leave all to the security agencies to do a thorough work, and let us know the people that are behind this assault on the institutions of democracy,” he added.
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