Rivers Elders Urge Unity and Cooperation as Fubara Resumes Office
By Joshua Uti
Rivers Elders Urge Unity and Cooperation as Fubara Resumes Office
National Coordinator of the South-South Elders Forum, Anabs Sara-Igbe, has said Rivers people are delighted over Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s return to office, noting that the state had been at a standstill during his six-month absence.
Speaking on Arise News on Thursday, Sara-Igbe explained that residents were eager for the governor to resume his duties following months of political upheaval.
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Most people are so excited to see their governor, because since he left, everything came to a standstill,” he said. “If we’re talking about Mr Project (Fubara), he has projects across the whole state. There’s no local government that he has not had projects running for. But since the past six months, everything came to a halt.”
Sara-Igbe urged the Rivers State House of Assembly to cooperate with the governor and avoid hostility as he settles back into office. “We believe that both parties have learned their lessons. What we want is peace and harmony. The governor cannot be stampeded into announcing commissioners immediately. He needs to settle down, review the situation, and then decide on his team,” he stated.
He stressed that both the executive and the legislature must now work together to restore development and unity in the state. “Whatever has happened, has happened and gone. This is the era of peace and teamwork. We need to work as a team to bring development to the state,” he said.
The elder statesman also accused outsiders of exploiting the state’s resources during the emergency period, calling such interference unconstitutional. “What we need in Rivers State now is how the state will move forward. There should be teamwork, mutual understanding, and trust among leaders,” he added.
Meanwhile, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, confirmed that he spoke with Governor Fubara ahead of his return, clarifying that he has no intention of recommending commissioners to the governor, stressing that cabinet appointments are Fubara’s prerogative.
Sara-Igbe expressed optimism about the state’s future. “We are happy our governor is back. The past era is gone. What we want now is peace, unity, and development,” he concluded.