Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, expressed his dissatisfaction with the Rivers State House of Assembly members’ behavior towards his administration, indicating that he could revoke their status as legislators if he chose to do so.
Governor Fubara emphasized that the lawmakers’ legitimacy stemmed from his recognition, which was based on the Peace Accord initiated by President Bola Tinubu.
He made these remarks while addressing a delegation of political and traditional leaders from Bayelsa State who visited him at the Government House in Port Harcourt, the state capital. The purpose of their visit was to seek an end to the political crisis in Rivers State and to foster a better relationship between both states.
Among the members of the delegation were the first Military Governor of old Rivers State, Alfred Diete-Spiff, who is the Traditional Ruler of Twon Brass in Bayelsa State, other Traditional Rulers, former Commissioners, former State and National Assembly members, and Peoples Democratic Party executives.
Governor Fubara informed the delegation, led by the former Governor of Bayelsa State and Senator representing Bayelsa West, Henry Siriake Dickson, that he had been exercising restraint since the crisis escalated in the state.
He stated, “Those groups of men who claim they are Assembly members are not Assembly members; they do not exist. I want it to be on record. I accepted that Peace Accord to give them a chance. That is the truth. There was nothing in that Peace Accord that addressed a constitutional issue; it was a political solution to a problem. I accepted it because these were people who were supported by me, these were people I have helped pay their children’s school fees when I wasn’t even a governor. So, what is the issue there?
“We might have our differences, but I believe that one day, we could also reconcile. However, there comes a time when I have to make a statement that they do not exist. Their existence depends on my recognition of them. If I withdraw my recognition, they are nowhere. I want you to see the sacrifice I have made to ensure peace in our state.”
Governor Fubara revealed that he had always attended every meeting called to resolve the crisis in the state, but after each meeting, he encountered a new dimension of the crisis from the opposing side.
He pledged to continue pursuing peace, acknowledging the transient nature of power.
