30th January, 2024
By Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt
Eight out of the nine returnee commissioners recently sworn in by Governor Siminalayi Fubara have been reassigned to their former Ministries with a stern warning that should do those things that will make their children to be be proud of them as their parents.
Fubara directed the Secretary to the Rivers government to reassign the eight commissioners who were present at the Executive Chambers on Monday during the swearing-in of the new Chief of Staff to Government House, Edison Ehie and five new Special Advisers.
Emeka Woke, who was Commissioner for Special Duties and former Chief of Staff at Government House when Nyesom Wike, the Minister of Federal Capital Territory was Governor was conspicuously absent.
While addressing the returnee Commissioners who are loyalists of his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, and other new appointees, Governor Fubara warned them not to use their positions to destroy his administration or antagonize anybody.
While also urging the newly sworn-in to support the government in a way that will promote its image, Governor Fubara warned that there will be consequences should the commissioners who were sworn in last week attempt to work against his administration to destroy.
“Let me also use this medium to direct the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) to assign the commissioners that were sworn in last week with their responsibilities. Let the SSG assign only those of you who are here today back to their former offices. Let it be part of my birthday gift to you.”
“But let me also say this, coming and taking back your position is not for you to use it to destroy my government. Whatever it is that you’re doing, it is not about me. It is about the things that you can stand to defend and be proud of many years after.”
“I want you to say it again to you only do things that you can stand and defend. That you’re back is not by your power it is just by the grace of God and my Birthday gift to you. I don’t have anything against anybody but I will advise that you do those things that when your children hear, they will be proud of you tomorrow.
“We will only go far when we join hands to better the life of Rivers people. I didn’t appoint you today so that tomorrow you go to your area and start fighting. No. We have surrendered our government to God almighty. And God will solve the problems in a way that will shock the whole world.
“Please I don’t want this position to be a platform for you to start fighting and antagonizing anyone. I don’t want that. Do those things that will promote the image of the Government.
Fubara added that all the contending challenges of his administration have been surrendered to God with the confidence that he will continue to intervene in a manner that will shock the world.
Those sworn in were Rt Hon. Ehie Edision as Chief of Staff, Government House with Dr Darlington Orji, Prince Solomon Abel Eke, Barr Aminayanasam Fiberesima, Engr. Deeyah Bariene and Ohia Prince as Special Advisers
Governor Fubara said the purpose of governance is to render services even in the face of difficulties and their appointment serves as evidence that concrete machinery is being put in place to help solve those problems.
The governor urged them to see their appointments as a call to duty, rise to the occasion of adding value to governance and demonstrate that they are truly credible men of the State.
“Let me add, don’t use this position to antagonise anybody, even in your localities. I want to speak to you and I will continue to say it, what God cannot do does not exist.”
“That you succeeded in battle is not because of your power. It is the grace of God. When God says it will not happen again, whoever you are, it ceases from that moment. I am not appointing you today because I want you to go to your areas and start fighting, no.”
“We have surrendered our situation to God and God is going to solve it in a way that will shock the world for everybody to know that God is always God. Please, I don’t want this position to be a platform for you to start stalking anyone. Do what you know is right.”