Following Supreme Court Judgement, Rivers Governor Fubara Declares Commitment to Undistracted Governance

Following the Supreme Court affirmation of Mr Siminalayi Fubara’s election as the governor of Rivers State, the governor has avowed commitment to undistracted governance.

This as civil servants and other Rivers people have declared celebration parties over the Fubara’s victory.

The governor who spoke immediately after the delivering of the government by the Supreme Court in Abuja, expressed his resolution to remain committed to the purpose for which he was elected and will not allow anything to distract governance.

A panel in the lead judgment delivered by Justice Ibrahim Saulawa had affirmed Fubara’s election shortly after it dismissed the appeal by Mr Tonye Cole of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for being incompetent and lacking in merit.

According to Saulawa, the appellant did not prove his allegations of over-voting, non-compliance as well as non-qualification of Fubara to contest the election.

Governor Fubara addressing journalists yesterday, said his triumph at the Supreme Court has laid to rest the legal battles that added to the distractions his administration grappled with in the last eight months.

“About an hour ago, the Supreme Court revalidated our mandate in the election. It is a victory for the entire State. It is important for us to note that we need this victory to consolidate the purpose of governance. Prior, we have had a few distractions here and there.

“And the good news that came to us this morning is a refreshing strength that will encourage us to continue the good works in governance.”

Governor Fubara expressed gratitude to God for His help and, to President Bola Tinubu for his fatherly role concerning the internal crisis and the litigation against his election.

The governor also extended gratitude to the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), whom he described as his “Oga”, for all his support.

He however, called on everyone to join hands with his administration to build a competitive State that will be reckoned with as truly prosperous in all ramifications.

“We have a dream of making it a highly competitive State that will measure, if not up to Lagos but close to becoming like Lagos. We can only achieve this in an atmosphere of peace.

“So I am calling on everyone, not just on our internal issue but those members from other parties, the issue is settled, come and let’s build the Rivers State of our dream. We will continue to protect and provide the basic needs of governance to everyone who is doing business and who lives in Rivers State.” 

The governor further said: “We would address our State very soon on the victory, but for now, let everybody be happy that one elephant is out of the road, the other one, by God’s help, will be resolved amicably and the family will be one.”

Meanwhile, the Rivers State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has  felicitated with Governor Fubara, on his affirmation by the Supreme Court as the duly elected Governor of the State during the March 18 governorship poll.          

The NUJ, in a statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Stanley Job Stanley and Secretary, Ike Wigodo, described the Supreme Court’s declaration as a confirmation of the people’s trust and mandate freely given to the governor.

The statement appealed to Governor Fubara to be magnanimous in victory and also see his victory at the Apex court as a birthday gift to him and the good people of Rivers State.

The NUJ urged the governor not to be distracted by political opponents but to focus on delivering good governance to the people of Rivers State. The Union also advised the opponents to accept the Supreme Court’s judgement in good faith and join hands with the government to move the state forward.                 

“We urge the people of Rivers State, especially the political class, to put all that happened during and after the elections in the state behind them and support the Siminalayi Fubara-led government to succeed and make Rivers State a better place for all”, the statement added.          

Similarly, a group, Rivers Peace Initiative, has advised that the Fubara’s victory does not warrant unhealthy celebration “knowing that this is simply a resolution of a difference between brothers, so as not to fuel the feeling of loss that may result in violence”.

The converner of the group, Obinna Ebogidi who was reacting to the Supreme Court judgement, stressed “In light of this, we call on our politicians to refrain from using inflammatory, derogatory and vexing words to avoid heating up the political and socio-economic landscape of our state. We must realize that everything in life has got its time and season. 

“If the dispensation is not favorable to you today, it is not the end of life. The next election cycle may be your season. So, lets desist from the attitude of tearing down the system simply because it does not appear to favour us. We need to be more accommodating and less confrontational to dissenting views, as they will always be there, no matter what.”

Ebogidi cautioned that politicians should stop forthwith, the obnoxious attacks and disparaging remarks on the office of the Governor of Rivers State. 

He advised elders in the state “not to take sides nor make statements capable of aggravating the situation on ground as we have seen in recent past. Elders are not judges to decide who is wrong, but peace-makers and speak wisdom to authority. This is your role especially now that the Supreme Court has  given it’s verdict”.

He further appealed to the youths to shun the urge to exhibit youthful strength to instigate troubles of any kind. 

THISDAY observed civil servants at the state secretariat in Port Harcourt, all left their offices to the complex joyfully celebrating the Supreme Court decision on governor Fubara.

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

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