Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the decisions taken by his administration in the evolving political crisis in the state were not borne out of fear, but for peace to reign in the state.
The governor made this known while addressing Rivers people at the maiden state banquet held by his administration at Government House, Port Harcourt on Monday to celebrate the New Year.
The governor's position was revealed in a statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Governor of Rivers State, Boniface Onyedi, on Tuesday.
Fubara, who wished Rivers people a fruitful and prosperous 2024, also appealed to Rivers people to embrace the ongoing peace process at the instance of President Bola Amhed Tinubu.
He stated that his administration would not be enmeshed in any dirty political war that would hinder the prospects of development in the state.
"Every decision that we've taken is not borne out of fear but because we have the interest of our people and we have respect for elders.
"I'm appealing to everyone of us to embrace the peace. We need this peace because our intention for the state is not for our personal interest but that of the development of the state".
The governor disclosed that his administration was determined to live a legacy of unity and development in Rivers State, and not a legacy of political apprehension.
In his welcome address, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Tammy Wenike Danagogo expressed gratitude to God that despite the political turbulence in the state, Fubara was still focused to dispense the dividends of democracy in the state.
He pointed out that Rivers State was blessed to have a governor that is "calculated, humble, honest and hardworking".
Danagogo urged Rivers people to be apostles of peace, truth and justice for the state to continue on a trajectory of greatness.
MY GOVERNMENT WILL NOT BE INVOLVED IN ANY DIRTY FIGHTING
Find below a transcribed copy of Governor Siminalayi Fubara's speech at the first state banquet hosted by him at Government House in Port Harcourt on Monday:
"I had planned not to say anything this night. I have said too much already. But I read something in the media, and it will be improper if I don't, at least, respond to it on a special day like this.
"First, let me wish every one of you or all of us here a very fruitful and prosperous New Year.
"This is because every decision that we have taken, it is not borne out of fear but it is because we have the interest of our people in mind, and we have respect for elders.
"The President (Bola Tinubu) requested that we do certain things. In as much as it might not be very comfortable with every one that is here but it is the place of the leader to say let us go along with it.
"(This is) because if we don't have peace in the state, there won't be that meaningful development that we desire.
"So, I'm speaking to every one, let us embrace the peace. We need this peace because our intention for our state is not because of our own personal interest, it is for the interest of everyone; the interest for the development of our state.
"So, when we are faced with this type of situation: we considered the actions and reactions, who is going to suffer? Fubara will not suffer, I can assure you that! But one million supporters will suffer.
"So, those decisions are decisions we took because we want you to feel you're with me. We want you to see me as your governor and be happy.
"So, our New Year message to our dear state, and more especially this our first inaugural banquet (is) to show that the government is alive.
"I want to leave you with only this message: We will not disappoint you. We, also, will not be involved in any dirty fighting because we know that we (the state) are going to be the losers.
"Therefore, whatever it will take as seen in our decisions: yesterday, most of you were worried and asking: why will the speaker resign? It is to tell you what we can do for peace!
"It is not about what we want to gain. It is not about the power we want to exercise. But at the end of the day, (ask) what are we leaving for our people?
"So, we took those decisions, not out of fear, but because at the end of the day when we leave here (office), we want you to remember us not (as leaders) with fear but remember us in (for) our simplicity, remember us in (for) our care, remember us that we are people who were prepared to give in anything for the interest of our dear state.
"2024 is for all of us. If I could survive, you that don't have any problems, you'll survive better than me. So, I am wishing everyone of us here a fruitful and prosperous 2024 to the glory of God."
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