I will continue to work with Oko-Jumbo-led House of Assembly in Rivers State, Governor Siminalayi Fubara said yesterday.
He described other members of the Assembly, led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, as former lawmakers and Abuja-based politicians who are out of tune with the reality.
Reflecting on the protracted crisis, Fubara waxed philosophical, saying that it is God’s purpose for the political emancipation of the state.
Although the Court of Appeal has ruled that the Assembly is not properly constituted, the three-member House said it was awaiting Budget 2025 Appropriation Bill.
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Fubara, who spoke during the inauguration of two ultra-modern community town halls and the kick-off of full-time tertiary scholarship/empowerment programme by Oko-Jumbo, at Akiama and Aganya communities in Bonny Local Government Area, said lawmakers led by Amaewhule have failed to attract projects to their constituencies.
He said his government would continue to collaborate and support the Victor Oko-Jumbo-led Assembly to better the lives of the people.
Fubara explained that his administration enjoyed a cordial relationship with the three lawmakers as demonstrated by the screening of nominees for various positions and thecswift passage of executive bills brought before them.
The governor said in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Nelson Chukwudi, that the constituency projects by Oko-Jumbo had shown that he is a true representative of the people.
Fubara, who was represented by the Chief of Staff, Government House, Edison Ehie, expressed confidence that the lawmakers would give life to the 2025 Appropriation Bill.
He said: “So, the government and people of Rivers State heartily congratulate you and thank you for being a good ambassador of the Ibani Kingdom. We are assuring you that as the Executive arm of government, we know that the Legislative arm is independent. But we will continue to collaborate so that good tidings will always be the portion of our people.
“I thank you Mr Speaker for your support so far to the government of Rivers State as we see in your cooperation.The Speaker that screened caretaker committee chairmen, the Speaker that has been helping us ensure that requests from the Executive arm are swiftly confirmed, the Speaker that will give life to the 2025 Budget.”
“This is one of the dividends of democracy as elected representatives of our people. To show that you are elected into the House of Assembly to represent your people, one of the obvious signs is constituency projects.”
Firing salvos at the Amaewhule-led Assembly, Fubara said: “The 25 former Assembly members that sacked themselves, has anyone done projects? Have you seen or watched anywhere? Are they inspecting or commissioning projects? These are Abuja-based politicians.”
He commended Oko-Jumbo for the establishment of two state-of-the-art town halls, the provision of financial empowerment to 100 Bonny indigenes, and tertiary scholarship awards to 30 indigenes of Bonny.
Fubara said: “Further to that, you are not just commissioning one town hall; we are here in Bonny to commission two state-of-the-art town halls. And before us, you have just implemented economic empowerment of 100 Bonny indigenes to the tune of N10million cash.
“You have further announced the implementation of tertiary scholarship awards to 30 Bonny indigenes to the highest level of education. What more can we call representation?”.
The factional Speaker, Victor Oko-Jumbo, commended the people of Bonny for believing in him, saying that he has no regrets supporting Fubara.
He said the Assembly would not be distracted by the Amaewhule-led lawmakers from discharging its functions.
Oko-Jumbo recalled that the impeachment plot by the lawmakers against the Fubara on October 30 was deliberately orchestrated, adding that the evil plan did not stand because it was resisted by the people.
He said: “We will not be distracted by the enemies of Rivers State. We will not be distracted by the 25 former members of the House of Assembly. What happened on October 30, 2023, was deliberately orchestrated.
“Our God, who hath in Heaven blinded their eyes and made them deaf. And as such, they made a fatal mistake when they sought to not just only impeach my brother and friend, Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie as Leader, but to further impeach His Excellency, the Governor.
“And by God’s grace, today, even though at that time we didn’t think that we would have lasted one month, but Rivers people stood firm, Bonny people stood firm, and we resisted and we are still strong today”.
Oko-Jumbo explained that the inauguration of the two 500-seater auditorium town halls was in fulfillment of the campaign promise made to the people, based on the need-to-gap assessment he carried out.
He said the 2025 Budget would soon be presented before them, adding that the Bonny Local Government would be captured in the provision of infrastructural projects.
Oko-Jumbo said: “Let me use this medium to assure you that we will not rest on our oars until we ensure rapid development comes to Bonny Kingdom. There are so many things that we need as a people.
“But let me remind you that as Speaker of the House of Assembly, 2025 Budget will soon be passed, which means that Bonny Local Government will be captured in the 2025 Budget that will be presented soon by His Excellency. Today, I am standing strong, knowing that I have made the right choice”.
Crisis is for emancipation, says Fubara
Fubara described the crisis in the state as God’s way of politically emancipating the state and ensuring its economic growth and development.
The governor said God’s involvement in the matter had disappointed his enemies, who thought that he and his team would be overwhelmed.
He said his team tllhat had been more energised in steering the affairs of the state resolutely.
The governor, who also spoke at the Special Thanksgiving Service organized in honour of Eze Chike Worlu Wodo, Eze Oha Apara IV, who had been appointed as the Chairman of Rivers State Traditional Rulers’ Council (RSTRC).
The service was held at the Shepard’s Hill Parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) at Mgbuoba Community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
During the service, Fubara was also presented with copies of the Holy Bible by the leadership of the parish.
The governor said he would continue to stick to the fear of God and depend on Him for wisdom, direction and grace.
Fubara said: “I also believe that what you are calling trouble is not trouble to me. I see it as God’s purpose for a new direction for our state. He has taken us higher, right from the first day, which is why, rather than getting weak, we are getting stronger and bolder everyday.
“We want to finish our work, and our story will be those who led with the fear of God. We might not be perfect in everything, but at the end, there should be a reason why the angels should not allow our bodies to be taken by the devil.”
Fubara highlighted the importance of thanksgiving, saying: “It brings assurance of God’s abiding presence, and offers a clearer picture of what pathway to navigate through any situation”.
The governor acknowledged the energy with which Eze Chike Worlu Wodo danced in gratitude to God, and likened it to how King David in the Bible danced before God.
He said: “It is one of the credits that made God to love King David so much. He glorified God in a special way. He was not ashamed, and God loved him. I am happy and honestly speaking, I am really humbled that at this age and as a traditional ruler, you still reverence God highly. God will continue to lift you above human imagination.
“I am happy being in the presence of God today, more especially worshiping in one of the living churches in Nigeria and the world.
“I have to say that there is nothing as important like thanking God. Even when the situation looks unclear, thanksgiving brings assurance and a clearer picture of the situation.
“And I join this family this morning to thank God with you and to assure our people that because God is what we have kept in front, our story will end in praises.”
Fubara urged the church to continue to pray for his administration and the entire peace of the state without relenting.
He maintained that while things might look tough from physical perspective,.”God does not work like men and His purpose will prevail, notwithstanding the time it takes”.
Fubara added: “The secret of our administration is just one thing: your prayers. The quiet and secret prayers that you give for us in your closets count.
“I can tell you, there is no prayer that God does not answer. It is like depositing money in the bank. So, I want to thank you, assure you that we will continue to uphold the fear of God in everything we do. We can assure you that.”
Fubara donated N100 million to the church to support evangelism and to serve as memorial in honour of Eze Chike Worlu Wodo in the parish.
Eze Wodo said since his birth 78 years ago, God had led him from one victory to another amidst the challenges of life, adding that he was in the church to thank God for His benevolence.
Eze Wodo thanked Fubara for appointing him and pledged his support for the success of his administration.