Tag: Siminalayi Fubara

Rivers state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has accused the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the entire Nigeria Police Force of serving the interest of an Abuja-based politician to scuttle the local government election scheduled for October 5, in the state.

Speaking during a World Press Conference held at Government House in Port Harcourt on Friday, October 4, Fubara insisted that the election could not be stopped or truncated because a particular person did not want it conducted.

He said that everything that needed to be done about the election had been finalised and voters sensitised because of their high confidence levels.

Fubara said even the police had been informed and were expected to discharge their statutory professional security duties, particularly because the court also directed so in its judgement on the election.

But he said the police had become hired agents sent to attack the headquarters of Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) accusing them of trying in vain to cart away sensitive materials.

Fubara said: “In the early hours of this morning (Friday), I got a security report that the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) office has been invaded by the Nigerian Police.

“I was really surprised because, before that time, I got a copy of a signal withdrawing the police officers that were guarding the premises. So, I had to drive to the place myself since the facility belongs to the Rivers state government.

“Getting to the scene, and to the shock of everyone who accompanied me there, I met the presence of some fierce-looking policemen in one truck and three other empty Hilux vans trying to force their way into the premises.

“And, I had to stop them. In the process, we discovered that that movement (operation), was a deliberate attempt by the Nigerian Police Force, both the Rivers State Command and the Headquarters (Abuja), to steal the electoral materials. But by the special grace of God, that act was foiled.”

Fubara said the Nigeria Police had stooped so low that they allowed their officers to engage in such illegal acts that suggested that they had become enemies of Rivers State.

 Fubara wondered why the Nigeria Police would attempt to take over control of RSIEC or be used to stop an ongoing democratic process, which would lead to the emergence of elected political leadership at the local government councils.

Fubara said: “Here are the questions: first, the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, is it not an agency, and a process that is being controlled by the State Government? Is it not a system that is governed by the law of the State? Why is Rivers State’s case different?

“The second part of it is: what is the special thing about this issue of taking over the premises by the Police? If we should go by what they claim that they had a court order, the court ruling said, don’t give RSIEC voter register, don’t give RSIEC police protection. Did the judgment say they should seal the premises? Or don’t allow them to conduct the election?”

Read Also: Furious Fubara attacks IGP over contentious Rivers council poll

Fubara also added: “However, the Rivers State Government and RSIEC itself also had a judgment that states clearly: conduct the election with the voters’ register of 2023; and police, DSS, Nigeria Army and other sister agencies should provide security.

“I might not be a lawyer, but I understand clearly that when it comes to the issue of judgment, there is something they call first-in-time.”

Fubara asked if there was any other court unknown to him that was bigger than the Supreme Court of Nigeria, whose judgment concerning a proper constitution of elected local government councils was being obeyed in Rivers State.

The governor said that among all the security agencies, it was only the Nigeria Police that was.was.acting so strangely and had become a threat to the nation’s democracy.

He said: “Why are they looking for a way to stampede this State? The Supreme Court gave a judgment that all local government activities must be conducted by elected officers.

“The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, in agreement with the State Governors, directed a compliance to this judgment within 90 days with effect from the judgment date.

“And all other States are conducting elections to ensure that they comply with the directive, not just the Supreme Court ruling but also going by the understanding that we have with Mr. President.

“And what Rivers State is also doing is not different from others. And the big question is: is any other court bigger than the Supreme Court?”

Fubara also referred to the incident that happened in Nigeria about the botched general election of June 12, 1993, saying that the Supreme Court ruled that no court should stop any electoral process.

He said: “Is it not better if you feel aggrieved if you feel you don’t want to participate in the election that you should go to court?

“While do you want to stop the process of election, to create problems, to create anarchy in the state? We are already complaining of suffering, people are hungry, and you want to stampede the local government civil servants in the State.”

Fubara assured Nigerians, and particularly peace-loving people of Rivers that the election would go on, and nothing would stop it because everything required had been put in place.

The governor said: “On the issue of security if the police feel they don’t want to be part of the election, they should withdraw.

“I am saying this here so that the Inspector General of Police will be aware, and also know that any act against the peace of this State, anything that will bring a situation of lawlessness in this State, if it happens, I think at the end of the day, he should be prepared to take responsibility.

“Why is the case of Rivers State different? Is it that the law or the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, when it comes to Rivers State, it is interpreted differently?

Fubara emphasised that the Local Government election on Saturday remained sacrosanct, and demanded everybody to join hands to make sure that it was peaceful so that there would be winners.

Governor Fubara said: “This press briefing, if you listen to me, I am not crying. I am not also calling the international community (for help). When they have their own press briefings, they call on the International community (for help). I am not calling the international community.

“But from here, I just want you to know that we are prepared. Once in the lifetime of every man, you need to stand on the side of truth, and even if it will take your life, history will not forget you.

“Great Martin Luther King, today, we talk about him. We talk about him because he stood for what was the truth, and his life went in. And if I am going to be that Martin Luther King of Rivers State, so be it!”

Fubara said the Rivers state government sent a copy of the judgment of the court mandating that the election should hold to the National Security Adviser (NSA), Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Director, Directorate of State Security (DSS), and other security agencies, which he believed had been communicated to Mr President.

He said: “On the aspect of the Police withdrawing their services, I don’t think the police (are) supposed to be part of the election process.

“What police should do is to protect lives and property, ensure that nobody comes to cause a fight or burn people’s property.

“In fact, police don’t need to be close to the polling units or the voting centres.  What is important is for them to ensure that the lives of the people of Rivers State are protected, and their properties are protected.

“On the issue of the election, I don’t think if they withdraw their services, it is going to marr the process. Not at all!

“So, if the police are not providing (security), I strongly believe that some other agencies will provide security for the election”.

Gov. Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers says he will make every necessary sacrifice to ensure a successful conduct of the Saturday’s local government council election in the state.

Fubara told newsmen in Port Harcourt on Friday that the scheduled local government council election was in compliance to a judgment of the Supreme Court.

The governor said that no court had the right to thwart a judgement of the nation’s apex court, saying, ‘we can only obey’

He said it was important for the police and other law enforcement agencies to support the exercise in order to institute government at the third tier level.

Fubara said that other states of the federation had been complying with judgement, and that the case of Rivers should not be different.

Read Also: Furious Fubara attacks IGP over contentious Rivers council poll

“Other states are already conducting elections in compliance with the judgement and the understanding we reached with the president,” he said.

He said that he got a security report earlier on Friday that the Rivers State Electoral Commission’s office had been invaded by police personnel.

“I was really surprised because before that time, I got a copy of a signal withdrawing police officers from the premises.

“So, I had to drive to the place myself since the facility belongs to the Rivers State Government.

“On arrival, I met some fierce looking policemen in one truck and three other empty vans trying to force their way into the premises.

“This is not good, this is a legitimate process that every concerned organ of government should support,’‘ he said.

Fubara urged Rivers people not to be intimidated but to remain law abiding and peaceful during the election.

(NAN)

…says ‘we can’t succumb to blackmails’ 

Rivers state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has x-rayed the economic reforms undertaken by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing them as robust.

He poured encomium on Tinubu  for his bold, dynamic and pragmatic economic reforms, saying they were targeted at correcting the structural deformities of the past and ushering Nigeria into a new vista of sustainable economic growth and prosperity.

Fubara also declared that his administration would not surrender to barefaced blackmail, but would rather keep consolidating on the gains of peace, advancing good governance, delivering more critical projects, and sustaining the increase in the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state.

The governor spoke on Tuesday during the 64th Nigerian Independence Anniversary Parade that at the Government House Arcade in Port Harcourt.

The Rivers governor said: “I urge fellow governors to redouble their efforts to fight the scourge of insecurity and banditry in the North, and pipeline vandalism and oil theft in the Niger Delta region of the country, for the ongoing economic reforms to bear the needed positive results.

“On our part, we assure the Federal Government and Mr President of unalloyed loyalty and support from the Government and good people of Rivers State, and reaffirm our commitment to the unity and progress of Nigeria as one indivisible nation.

“We will continue to support and work with the Federal Government and the security agencies to advance the security and well-being of all citizens, protect national economic assets and guarantee the security and smooth operations of local, national, and multinational companies and investments in our State.”

 Fubara assured that his administration would work assiduously to ensure the safety and security of lives and property while guaranteeing equal social and economic opportunities for all residents.

He said: “I further assure you that we will never compromise on our commitments to delivering the dividends of democracy and good governance to the citizens of Rivers State.

“We will complete the Port Harcourt Ring Road, the Ikwerre-Emohua-Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni link dual carriageway, and all other ongoing road projects on schedule. We will also deliver the N225billion Trans-Kalabari Road before the end of our first term.

“We are giving considerable attention to education with the rehabilitation of schools, provision of educational materials, implementation of 65-year teachers’ retirement age, and approval for the recruitment of more teachers in line with the recommendations of the Needs Assessment Committee Report”.

Read Also: Tinubu’s economic reforms targeted at correcting past deformities, says Fubara

Fubara said remodelling, expansion and construction work had progressed to level of completion of the zonal hospitals at Ahoada, Bori, Degema, Omoku, and the General Hospital at Bonny. 

He also explained that work had started on the new General Hospital in Rumuigbo community with work on the new ultra-modern Psychiatric Hospital, also at Rumuigbo, in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, intensifying.

Fubara said: “Our efforts in healthcare manpower development have resulted in the full accreditation of the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital for six special programmes, including surgery, plastic reconstruction surgery, urology, radiodiagnosis, and orthopaedics from the West African College of Surgeons.

“We have made considerable improvements in internal revenue generation and set up the Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency to drive the industrialisation of the State to create jobs and generate more economic opportunities and revenues for citizens and the State.

“Agriculture for food security, job creation, and empowerment and other areas of interest, including transportation, youth skills tooling, the blue economy, and micro, small, and medium enterprises development, will receive serious and dedicated attention going forward.”

Fubara extended appreciation to men and officers of the Armed Forces for their services of bravery and worthy sacrifice in defending the collective freedom, unity and security of the nation.

He particularly appreciated the Police, the Department of State Services, and other security agencies for their sacrifices and contributions to internal peace, security, and stability of Rivers State.

He said:  “I also thank and appreciate the good people of Rivers State and Nigerians across the country for your support and standing with us on the side of courage, truth and justice from the inception of our government to date.

“I assure you that we will never surrender to barefaced lies and blackmail from anyone, no matter how powerful he may be, but remain focused and re-dedicated to the interest of the nation, our dear Rivers State and the cause of our people.”

Rivers state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has tasked the people of the state, especially women to venture into agriculture to mitigate the impact of the high cost of living in the state

The governor maintained that agriculture would be accorded top priority in the 2025 budget to achieve the policies of the government in the sector.

Fubara spoke when he received Rivers State women under the aegis of Women in Farming and Agro-Allied Support Network (WIFAASN) on a solidarity visit at Government House, Port Harcourt on Monday.

The governor, who was represented by the Rivers State Head of Service, Dr George Nweake, said his administration’s agricultural policies were geared towards ameliorating the plight of the citizens.

He said: “The agriculture policies of the government have already been perfected, waiting for the time of execution and implementation.

“The governor has said that that is the main target of next year’s budget: agriculture. But we will not give it to people who don’t have farms. We will not deal with portfolio farmers. Those that will come with jackets are not the farmers we are looking for.

Read Also: Court adjourns proceedings on Mohbad’s son’s DNA paternity test

“We will not throw it in the air for the fastest person to catch it. No. If the best person in farming is a lame person, he will get it. Even if a sprinter is there, the sprinter will not be able to reach it. We are going to do things that will have a human face”.

The governor, who recalled the enormous agriculture potential and produce that abound in the state sued for a change of heart among the people by keying into farming to catch up with the reality of the times and ensure food security.

He said it was in line with the wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu’s Renewed Hope pet projects: “Agricultural Support Programme” and “Every Home a Garden”, aimed at supporting women farmers nationwide to strengthen the agricultural sector of the economy.

He said: “Before now, this our place, Rivers and Bayelsa, we were known for oil palm production, which is rooted in agriculture. Every part of Rivers State supports that and each of us had palm fruits in our places, and that has been neglected over the years.

“We also have different agricultural products which thrive very well in Rivers State. If you talk of fishing, I think almost every local government area has rivers where they fish. We also have every farm produce and livestock which, over the years, we have neglected.

“Again, there was research done about ‘Rivers State Without Petroleum’, and we see that the Abua and Ahoada-West areas are noted for fruits. We have fruits everywhere, but their fruits are unique. You talk of plantain: Etche and Omoku are noted for plantain, but they are not in the market.

“So, I am happy that you have come to understand that the way forward is for us to first take agriculture seriously, and then, the rest will be history; Rivers State will be transformed.

“Imagine a situation where every person here can produce one bag of garri. The impact it will have on our nation will be huge.

“You are all aware that there is even a project by the Federal Government, the pet project of Her Excellency, the Wife of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu geared towards women having their own gardens to support women farmers nationwide to strengthen the agriculture sector of the economy. I urge you to key into the initiative.”

…says it was designed to strengthen call for emergency rule

…Orji Uzor Kanu committee visits governor, calls for peace

Rivers state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has alleged that the failed attempt to detonate an explosive device at the Hotel Presidential, a five-star hotel in Port Harcourt, was a deliberate plot to strengthen the call for a state of emergency in the state.

He accused the pro-Nyesom Wike supporters of carrying out the plot, describing them as haters, who wanted to undermine the state to achieve their evil plans.

Fubara spoke when he received a delegation of the Senate Committee on Privatisation and Commercialisation, led by its chairman, Senator Orji Uzo Kalu, to Government House in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, June 26.

He said youths were hired to engage in a protest to demand for extension of tenure of former local government chairmen, who had served out their statutory three-year term.

Fubara said the protesters and their sponsors were aware that some members of the National Assembly were guests at the Hotel Presidential, which was why they attempted to detonate an explosive device near the facility to give reason to support the call for a state of emergency at the plenary.

He said: “As a matter of fact, let me tell you, I know of everything that is happening. Yesterday (Tuesday), they (protesters) were aware that you are in the state. So, there was an attempt to create a serious problem.

“In fact, there was a plan to detonate dynamite at the Hotel Presidential because you people were there. But this God that we serve, it happened that the man who was trying to do it detonated it but just a few seconds after, it blew his hands off.

 “The idea was that as you were hearing the state of emergency, it will be so that by the time they finish when you return to have your sitting tomorrow (Thursday), the debate will be from somebody from this state who called you people to tell you not to come.

“He will now raise the issue of state of emergency, and say after all, distinguished colleagues saw it happen while you were in Rivers State, that you saw what happened.

“But you see, when you are with God, even your own child who is planning evil, will go and tell somebody that, God is with this man because he is clean, this is what my father is planning. That is what is keeping us in this state.”

The Rivers governor said it seemed that the law was silent or inactive to take its course over offenders because somebody appeared to be bigger than the law on the agitation.

He insisted that there was nowhere in the country where tenure elongation for former local government chairmen had been an issue.

Read Also: Politics of bitterness destroying Rivers, says Fubara

The governor maintained that he was not fighting anybody but rather defending the state against predators, and protecting supporters of the interest of Rivers against those, who felt they owned the lives of others.

He pointed out that there was no governor in the country, who could take 10 percent of the abuse reeled at him by former local government council chairmen.

Fubara said he took such insults and attacks in his strides without going hard at the purveyors because they planned to distract him.

He said he had remained focused on delivering good governance and democratic dividends to Rivers people.

He said: “Where on earth can tenure of local government chairmen be elongated? You were a former governor, was it tried in your time? Even those of you who are senators here, even in your own states, have anyone tried this before?

“Is it that the constitution that governs Nigeria is different from the one that operates in Rivers State? These are the very pertinent questions we should ask.

“Why should it be that when it comes to the case of Rivers State, the law is always silent? Is it that there is somebody bigger than Nigeria? That is the question I want you to go back to.

 “I tell you, we know everything that is happening, and you know it, everybody knows it. We should be bold enough to look at the faces of people and tell them the truth.

“I am not fighting anybody. If I am fighting, people will know that I am fighting: My pattern will change. What we are doing is to defend ourselves. We can’t just fold our hands. Only a tree will be standing and somebody will come and cut it off.

“It doesn’t happen as a human being. If you know that danger is coming, you shift. What we are doing is just to protect ourselves. So, Distinguished Senators, I am not fighting anybody.

 “Somebody thinks or some people feel they own life. I don’t own life. The person who own life is God. What we are doing here is to serve the people of Rivers State because God has given us this opportunity.

“It doesn’t matter the channel the opportunity came from. But the most important thing is God, and nobody takes the place of God in anything”.

The governor told members of the committee to factor in the interest of Rivers as they recommend the privatisation and commercialisation of public companies, saying that when the state buys stakes in such companies, it can be protected and supervised to be viable.

He said: “I will also appeal to you that in this process of privatisation, anything that has to do with our own State here that needs to be privatised, the Rivers State Government will be interested.

“Because you can’t come here and own our property when we have the resources to have shares or to acquire some portion of it.

“So, as a committee, if there is anywhere you can support us; if there is anyone that is still available, let us know, and let us get the details so that we can own it.

“It is only when we own it that those assets can be protected. It is only when we own it, that is when those assets become viable to the State, and also become viable to the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.

In his address, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Privatisation and Commercialisation, Senator Orji Uzo Kalu, said they were in Rivers State to carry out oversight duties on some projects under their purview.

Senator Kalu, who is the member representing Abia North Senatorial District, commended Fubara for his love for peace, determination to offer quality governance and keep pace with providing the right climate to engender economic growth to all residents in the state.

The Senate committee chairman also urged the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to sheath the sword, and call his supporters to order as a commitment to fostering peace and putting the interest of the state above all considerations.

He said: “I want to admire Your Excellency, your Deputy and your team for the good things you are doing in the State, but it is good to have peace.

“I want to thank you because you look like a very peaceful man. Your face shows a peaceful man. Your laugh shows a peaceful man. So, I want you to continue in that manner of peace. There is nothing like peace. Let people who are eating with this problem stop eating from it.

“We know that politics has taken its shape. We commend you for what you are doing for the people of your State. I will continue to ask you to focus on the job.

“Leadership is a very big burden. It is not a sweet potato. It is not anywhere where you can see rice and beans. On the street of Rivers, everyone is saying that the Governor and the former Governor are quarreling.

“We want to plead with you, continue to be holding your people back because if your people demonstrate like the other people, we will have a state of anarchy, and it is not good to have anarchy.

“I want to plead with you to abide by the rules of the land. I plead with you to abide by what the Constitution says. I plead with you to also abide by the decisions of the Judiciary. Wait for every judicial interpretation and act on judicial interpretation,” he added.

He pledged the readiness of the committee to work with the State Government to achieve mutually beneficial goals that would advance the interest of all Nigerians.

He said the hardship in the land was already enough burden that leaders needed to concentrate efforts to address to promote growth and prosperity for all.

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has expressed confidence in President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda (RHA).

In a statement in Port Harcourt, the state capital, by his Special Assistant on Media, Boniface Onyedi, the governor told the organised labour that the President was capable of addressing their concerns.

Read Also: Stop spreading lies against Fubara, Rivers PDP warns APC

Fubara, who addressed labour through the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, said: We have seen what you listed in your demands. They are all national issues, and we have hope in the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Federal Government. I know Governor Fubara will also deliver this message, as presented by you to Mr. President.”

Fubara assured organised labour that his administration would continue to reduce the level of sufferings in the land.

The governor said aside the provision of subsidised bus services for the residents, his administration was developing 20,000 housing units for low-income earners to live in decent houses.

He also said his administration was completing the processes of employing about 10,000 youths into the civil service, adding that it had directed the promotion of all categories of civil servants.

Fubara recalled that last December, civil servants got N100,000 Christmas bonus, stressing that it was part of ongoing measures to improve the lives of Rivers residents.

Rivers state governor, Siminalayi Fubara and other governors of the south-south region have held a crucial meeting with a promise to reposition the BRACED Commission.

The meeting, in a statement signed by Fubara’s Special Assistant, Media, Boniface Onyedi, was held at the Executive Council Chamber of the Edo State Government House.

Others, who attended the meeting were the governors of Akwa-Ibom, Pst. Umo Eno, Bayelsa, Sen. Douye Diri and Delta, represented by the deputy, Chief Monday Onyeme.

In a 16-point communique after the meeting read by Obaseki, the newly elected Chairman of the commission, the governors pledged to revive BRACED, which had witnessed a long period of inactivity.

They recalled that the original goal of the commission was to promote regional socioeconomic development and integration that would be mutually beneficial to the states.

The governors emphasised that there was an urgent need for a review of the Nigerian constitution to allow more powers, resources and responsibilities to devolve to the states for faster economic growth and development, security and peaceful coexistence.

They assured that the council had an obligation to properly position and strengthen the commission to enable it to accomplish the region’s desire to foster economic cooperation and integration among states of the south-south.

Read Also: Rivers Assembly threatens to shun Fubara’s correspondences

The communique stressed that the challenges of the commission were surmountable and asked member states to join hands in addressing the problems as quickly as possible to enable the region to restart and accelerate its journey towards economic cooperation and integration.

The governors further resolved “to foster regional economic cooperation and integration to achieve sustainable development through the creation of a strong regional economy for the collective benefit of the people of the South-South.

“Establish and inaugurate the BRACED Business Council to forge closer partnership with the Council to improve the business climate and attract investors and businesses into the region.

“To collectively engage the federal government on the development of key infrastructure in the region, particularly roads, rail development (fast train from Lagos to Calabar), the decentralization and rehabilitation of the seaports in the region as well as the management of security in the country.

“To direct the commissioners of environment and attorney-generals of the states to meet and collectively examine the feasibility of a regional environmental law and environmental blue carbon partnership for the protection of the mangroves forest ecosystems of the Southsouth and to work with the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the benefit of the region.

In a brief report, the Director-General of the Commission, Amb. Joe Keshi noted that since its inception the rationale behind its establishment in 2011 had been to improve agriculture, education, environment, power, security and utilisation of sports to empower youths of the region.

He, however, highlighted some challenges of the commission and urged the commission to take prompt actions to address the various issues affecting it.

The commissioner for Information and Communications in Rivers State, Joseph Johnson has confirmed that
Governor Siminialayi Fubara’s signature on the publicly disclosed resolution document on the Rivers crisis was not forged.

Johnson also stated that the governor signed the peace pact willingly and without any pressure.

The Nation reports that the document of his “peace agreement” with his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, was released after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu and the parties in the political crisis in Rivers state.

Fubara on Monday, Decembee 18, signed an eight-point agreement to facilitate a truce between him and Wike.

President Tinubu chaired the meeting which was attended by Fubara, Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Wike, former Governor Peter Odili, Speaker Martins Amaewhule, chairmen of the state chapters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chukwuemeka and the All Progressives Congress (APC) Caretaker Committee Chairman Tony Okocha, National Security Adviser (NSA) Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, Chairman PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) Senator Adolphus Wabara, among others at the Aso Villa.

Read Also: Amosun to Oshiomhole: you are responsible for your removal as APC chairman

While giving an address during the 3rd Convocation and 6th Founders Day ceremonies of the PAMO University of Medical Sciences in Iriebe, Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of the state, on Tuesday, the governor assured he was prepared to pay any price for peace to reign.

In his statement that was greeted with a thunderous applause, Fubara noted: “There is no price that will be too big to pay to ensure that peace prevails.”

Speaking on Channels TV, Johnson explained that his principal would implement the agreement reached because he is a man of his word and committed to the process of peace.

He said: “There is nothing to doubt it. We have gone beyond the issue as to who signed, and who didn’t sign.

“The Bible that we all profess says we should pursue peace with all men at all cost. Mr Governor is a stickler for the rules.

“And if His Excellency, the President has intervened, he (Fubara) is not a man of perfidy. He will not say something and do the other.

“In the next couple of hours, I will be unveiling some of the approvals His Excellency has already given as an indication that he is prepared for peace.”

The commissioner also indicated that the governor’s acceptance of the decisions made during the meeting on Monday did not indicate weakness.

He said: “I was in that meeting and the governor did not negotiate from the place of weakness.

“There was no pressure from anywhere; when people disagree, they come to the round table and settle.

“There is nothing to doubt about it, we have gone beyond the issue as to who signed, and who didn’t sign.”