The governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, said that he had to take the position he took on local governments in the state because the system was in a desperate situation requiring desperate measures.
The governor spoke during the swearing-in of the newly-elected chairmen of the 23 local government areas of the state at Government House, Port Harcourt on Sunday.
Fubara, who said the outcome of Saturday’s council election marked the beginning of a new Rivers State, thanked the President, Bola Tinubu for his role in the state local government elections.
Noting that President Tinubu gave them the requisite support for a successful exercise, Fubara warned the new council chairmen not to misuse the power bestowed on them, stressing that there would always be consequences for their actions.
The governor said, “The truth remains that desperate situations require desperate measures. We were confronted with a situation where the local governments of this state were headed to doom.
“And the truth about it is, because of the genuine love that we have for this state, we must salvage the local government councils. What we did, with the support of the Rivers people, was to salvage the local government councils.”
Fubara thanked the Almighty God and President Tinubu, former governor of the state, Dr. Peter Odili, former PDP national chairman, Uche Secondus, Rivers elders, and others for the success of the election.
He said detractors made every possible move to stop poll.
The governor told the new council chairmen that one of the targets of his administration was to build Rivers into an enviable state, where people would come and thrive in businesses, knowing that the state was peaceful.
Fubara stated, “We want to take our people to the promised land. Work as if the government is ending tomorrow, ensure you give your people what is right. Life is not about you getting everything, otherwise, you will lose all. God has a reason for bringing you.
“We want this to be a landmark. This is the beginning of a new Rivers State. I will follow you up, I believe this is not the time to make mistakes, I know with what you have done in the past, you can deliver good governance to your people.
“We are doing this today for the world, Nigerians to know that the issues of local government in Rivers State are over. Maybe from tomorrow, the story will be a different game.
“Today, I am really fulfilled, happy, and relaxed that what we started and didn’t know when to end had ended very well. Every citizen should give their support to this administration, we mean well for you.
“Once you see yourself as the emperor because of the money in your pocket, which belongs to the people, you will fall.
“See yourself in terms of service to the people. Ensure you represent the people who voted for you well. Work for your local government, open your doors, and embrace everyone, nothing is bigger than that. That is the structure.
“When you work for the people, bring them in. I want to charge you to be peace-loving. I am aware they are arranging 20 people per unit to fight you at the council, but, please, follow my approach. At the right time, you will always win if you are patient and calculative.”
While applauding the media for their engagement in unravelling the activities in the state in the last few months of the political battles, Fubara said, “In the course of what we did, a few persons might have been offended, but it was not intentional.
“I apologize, but what is important is that the sovereignty and integrity of Rivers State must be protected because that was the oath I took on May 29.
“I will give God Almighty all the glory because, without Him, we wouldn’t have come to this level. I appreciate the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for being democratic, even in the face of the situation that faced us, he still gave us support.
“I am so glad that the chairman of the Governors Forum of the PDP, my senior, Governor Bala Mohammed, is here with us and I assure us that despite the situation I remain a member of the PDP.”
Fubara explained that because of his love for the state, his administration decided to salvage the local government council.
“To the glory of God, we have succeeded. We are not going with their ways. We will continue to go the way of peace and ensure the state is safe. We are not going to encourage the breakdown of law and order,” he added.
Fubara inaugurated the chairmen a few hours after the chairman of Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Justice Adolphus Enebeli (retd), presented certificates of return to the candidates.
