“I Will Supervise Process Of New Rivers State”  – Gov Fubara Tells Newly Sworn In LG Officials

By Ayodele Oni

• Bala, Chairman PDP Governors Forum, present at ceremony

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has sworn-in newly elected 23 chairmen of local councils with a charge to them to follow his approach and not respond violently to the protest being planned for Monday, by the camp of the former governor, Mr Nyesom Wike.

Reports indicate that Fubara had received intelligence report that the opposition camp planned to mobilize 20 persons per unit in their local government areas to storm the Council Headquarters in protest against the new administration at the grassroots level.

Fubara, who expressed happiness at the development, said: “I am so glad that the Chairman of PDP Governors Forum, Governor Bala Mohammed, is here with us. I am happy to announce that I still remain a member of the PDP.

“We were confronted with a desperate situation and we confronted it with desperate solution. We determined to salvage the local government councils and to the glory of God, that has been done and dusted. Michelle Obama said: When they go low, we go high.

“We will not go down low with them. We will use the legal means to preserve the assets and destiny of the State. We will ensure peace and order in the state.

“For the newly-sworn in chairmen, I want you to see yourselves as servants and not as emperors. Please, you should not see yourselves as the ultimate authorities at that level because of the power of your purse.

“We need development in the 23 local government areas. More has to be done for our people at the grassroots. Please, work for the betterment of your local government areas.

“Ensure that you run an open government in the service of everyone.Nothing is bigger and greater than that. That is the structure when we work for the people and bring them in.

“That will be the fulcrum of this administration. I am aware that they are mobilizing 20 persons per unit to confront you when you resume tomorrow (Monday, October 7).

“When they are coming with violence, please avoid them. Please follow my approach. At the right time, you will always win if you are patient and calculative. We have made our promise to our people and we will take them to the promised land.

“Work as if the government is ending tomorrow. Ensure that you give your people what they want. Life is not about getting everything. If you want to get everything at the expense of the people, you will lose everything.”

He urged them not to fail their people and the elders of the state some of whom were present at the swearing in, including Senator Azuta Mbata, Prince Uche Secondus, Sir Celestine Omehia, and Senator Lee Maeba, among others.

According to him, “It is the beginning of a new Rivers State. I will supervise the process. I will monitor your performance in the 23 local government area to ensure you are doing the right things.

“We are doing this today for Nigerians to know that the issue of Local government election, swearing and resumption of office is over.

“The faces of elders here speak volumes. It is a message to Nigerians that our administration has the support of quality men and women that matter in this state.

“I am fulfilled, relaxed and happy. What we started together has ended well this evening. Every well-meaning person in this state should support this administration. We mean well for you and we will continue to do our best to ensure that we put smile in the faces of our people.

“The integrity of River state, the sovereignty of Rivers State must be defended.”