The Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has warned that his decision to implement the presidential peace pact to end the political crisis in the state should not be taken as an act of cowardice.
TheHintsNews reports that President Bola Tinubu intervened in the political crisis that engulfed the State on October 30, 2023, where resolutions were reached to end the political impasse.
But the governor, while addressing the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) on from the 23 Local Government Areas of Rivers State on a solidarity rally at Government House on Wednesday in Port Harcourt warned if that action would be seen as weakness, he would surprise them.
He noted that he had been inundated with several comments in the media about the implementation of the peace initiative, and had chosen to be silent out of maturity and wisdom.
Fubara stressed that he had since then commenced implementation of the agreement, solely because of his respect for President Tinubu, but cautioned that it appears that other political actors have taken his humility and compliance as a sign of weakness.
His words: “Let me say it here for record purposes: What is happening here in our dear State is somebody who has respect for an elder.
“Mr. President invited all the parties to Abuja, and came out with a resolution that we should go and implement. That resolution, I am implementing it. It is not a constitutional implementation. It is a political solution to a problem.
“And I am doing it because of the respect I have for Mr President. But, let me say it here, if that action that I have accepted to take would be seen as a weakness, I will surprise them. I want this message to go to them.”
Fubara added that he was mindful of the legacy he would bequeath after his tenure, saying it should also be about the lives that have been touched genuinely; about the policies implemented without any inducement to better the lives of the people and the society.
The Governor urged the people to continue to support his Administration, show understanding over actions taken, and obey the rules in a peaceful manner.
“When you are doing what is right, I will stand by you. Nobody, whether full or half, is going to intimidate you. Brace up, I say brace up, because the next step, it will be fire for fire in Rivers State. Everything will be implemented.”
Fubara said that already, local government workers have started receiving ₦30,000.00 minimum wage with promotion to be implemented beginning from April’s salary payment.
He also promised to set in motion plans to finalise modalities for the implementation of the Consolidated Salary Scale for Grade Level 17, and regular payment of benefits to the local government service retirees.
On his part, the Rivers State Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Alex Agwanwor, said workers have resolved to stand with Fubara because he has demonstrated his love amd also put smile on their faces and advanced the welfare and growth of the State.
He warned that NLC would not hesitate to occupy anywhere used by the Rivers State House of Assembly members led by Hon. Martin Amaewhule, should they begin another impeachment proceedings against the governor.