18th June, 2024
•I’m aware of grand plan by our enemies to cause chaos,we won’t fall for it.
•Angry youths destroy bust of Wike in Obio-Akpor LGA Secretariat.
By Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has assured that he will fearlessly lead the way to ensure that peace continued to prevail in the state while also protecting all patriotic supporters for their stand on the path of truth.
Governor Fubara made the vow while addressing Journalists, shortly after rising from a State Security Council meeting with heads of the security agencies at Government House in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
This was contained in a press statement issued by Nelson Chukwudi, the Chief Press Secretary, CPS, to the Governor.
Fubara emphasised that no grand plan to arrest such patriotic supporters on trumped-up charges will be tolerated.
Governor Fubara stated that there is no extension of tenure of elected local government Chairmen, adding that the law is unambiguous on it, clarifying that the court has also affirmed the position of the law.
The Governor said: “Let me also say this: I’m also aware that there is a grand plan to come and arrest some of our supporters. This time around, you have to pass through me to arrest them because I don’t think there is anything that any of those people following us has done. Rather, thy are standing on the side of truth.
“If it will cost us our lives to stand on the part of truth, we will do that. And I will be the one that will lead the course,” he added.
Governor Fubara further said: “Let me assure everyone, more especially, the great and peace- loving people of Rivers State: the law is the law. The law has said that there is no extension of tenure.
“The court said so, and whoever that is assuring anybody anywhere of whatever, I advise them to desist from it because peace is what we need in this State.
“I assure everyone of you that whatever it takes to make sure that we maintain peace and order, we are not going back on that,” he emphasised.
Governor Fubara explained that the Security Council Meeting was called because of the recent threat to the peace of the State by the outgone chairmen of the Local Government Councils.
The Governor said: “You are all aware that the tenure of the council chairmen ended yesterday, 17th June, 2024, and today, we have ordered the Heads of Local Government Administration to be in charge while they await further directives.
“It’s really unfortunate that we started hearing some disturbing news from some LGAs of invasion of council secretariats, and it is really unfortunate. So, we have called the Security Council Meeting so that the needful will be done.
“We are also aware that our enemy is also planning a lot of things. But we will not fall into that plot. We will not also allow him or them to destroy the peace that we are enjoying in the State,” he added.
He thanked the peace-loving people of the State for their support, and urged everyone to continue to remain law-abiding for the unity and progress of the State.
Our Correspondent reports that there have reports of youths invading local government Secretariats insisting that the tenure of office for Chairmen had expired.
For instance there is an online video of youths storming Obio-Akpor local government Secretariat and pulling down and destroying portrait statue of Nyesom Wike, Minister for Federal Capital Territory erected by the adminitrstion of the outgoing Chairman,George Ariolu.