Siminalaye Fubara, Governor of Rivers State on Thursday revealed that his government is on all fours with the vision of Renewed Hope Agenda, being implemented by President Bola Tinubu an indication that his current political war is not directed at the Presidential Villa, even though Nyesom Wike, his major traducer is at home with the seat of power.

Wike, Fubara’s predecessor, who is now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and currently the patron of the 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, as well as other political actors, who have launched an internecine war against the governor, is believed to be quite cozy with Tinubu, whom he helped bring to power in 2023.

Apparently to indicate that the political war in the state has nothing to do with the President, Fubara, told his audience at Egbeda community while kick-off of the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road project in the Emohua Local Government Area on Thursday: “This is not different from the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr President. Our mission is not different from the mission of Mr President.

“Mr President’s mission is to give hope to our people. And we are here to give hope to the people of Ikwerre, Emohua, and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Areas, genuinely. Genuinely, not because we have any economic interest here, not at all. We are doing it as a service to our people. We have started our journey in showcasing our interests, wishes, and what we have done in the past one year.”

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It was the same day that the governor, warned trouble makers in the state to have a rethink of engaging in any form of trouble, else they would pay dearly for anyone hurt or any damage done to individuals or structures in any part of the state, adding that such people ought to know that nobody had the instrument of power more than government.

Directing his warning specifically to Chairmen of local governments in the state, who he reminded of the need to start preparing to exit office in July, Fubara, told them not to entertain any illusion that any power could save them from the consequences of fomenting trouble, because there would be no such powers outside the law of the land.

Emphasising that they had very short time to leave office, the governor, who spoke against the backdrop of threats by the council bosses that they would not vacate office on July 17 because the Martins Amaewhule-led House of Assembly, loyal to Wike, extended their tenure to six months in an amended law, urged them not to be deceived or allow themselves be led to engage in any form of violence.

His words: “Let me also say this here. When we left Aleto the other day, some people went there and attacked our people. There is no need for that. Nobody has the monopoly of violence. I should even be the one who should come out and shout that I will do this and that.

“But I don’t need to do that because both sides belong to me. I have taken an oath to protect all. So, I am advising those people who call themselves local government chairmen: you have a few days in office. Please, conduct yourselves in a peaceful manner.

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“Politics will come, politics will go, but we will still live our lives. Let nobody deceive you, if you deliberately hurt anybody, because of expressing your useless support, nobody will forgive you. You will pay for it. So, I’m begging everyone, please, conduct yourselves. As a matter of fact, I am the one who is most hit and abused as a Governor who doesn’t know what to do with power. Is it not? Have I said anything?

“So, please, just endure until when you finish, then you go your way. I don’t want trouble. I don’t want anything that will bring any problems in this State. I know what they want to do, but we will not give them the opportunity. We have made our promise to our leader, who happens to be the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that we will take the path of peace and that is the part we are taking. 

“We will continue to take that path. Don’t mind what they say. Don’t mind what they do. Peace remains the path to take. While taking the path of that peace, it does not mean that we won’t defend ourselves, or let me describe it this way: we will not just be like a tree seeing someone coming to cut it down, and won’t do anything. No, no no. We need to also protect ourselves in a lawful manner.”

Stating that the project was being executed to let the world know that his administration meant well for Rivers and was transparently accounting for every kobo, the governor explained that the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku road project would be funded with savings from the Internal Generated Revenue (IGR), adding that 50 percent of the total cost of N80.8bn had already been paid.

He said: “Why did we pay 50 percent? We understand the fluctuation of prices as a result of exchange rate uncertainties, and we don’t want to find ourselves in a situation of too much variation. So, we sought EXCO approval, and EXCO approved that we should pay 50 percent, and we have done that.

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“And, what is it that we are saying to the world? We are telling the people that we are transparent. That we are a Government that is ready to serve. We are a Government that thinks about the people first. This road is a 33.5-kilometre road that has a bridge. It is a road that would connect Ikwerre, Emohua and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Areas.

“When this road is completed, commercial activities will become very easy, no more wasting of manhours on the road. And that shows that we are thinking about the people, and also caring for the well-being of the people. You must support the contractor to deliver the project within the stipulated 24 months.

“I know strongly, having confirmed the reputation of the contractor, I have no doubt that they will deliver. So, I want to thank every one of you for your patience, continue to support us, we mean well for our people.

Kicking off the project, Senator John Azuta Mbata, who represented Rivers East Senatorial District in the National Assembly, described the dual carriage road project as massive saying though it was within the capacity of the Federal government, Fubara has undertaken it

He said: “We are, indeed, extremely delighted to have a Governor of your calibre. We salute your leadership on this occasion. We salute your humanity on this occasion. We salute your humility on this occasion. We salute your propensity and preference for peace and tranquillity. We are very delighted to be associated with your humble self and our very presence here today, I believe, makes the point that we are your supporters.

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“We don’t have to talk too much about it. Anybody who is a politician understands that my standing here means I am making a grand political statement. We are the face of the people that are behind, and we are many, millions of people, Rivers people, chiefs, traditional rulers, elder statesmen, and businessmen. We make the silent majority that is behind, supporting the effort of the Government to emancipate the people and to bring development to Rivers State.

“I want to take the opportunity to call on all and sundry, all our people, wherever you are, to give your utmost support to the government because, for the very first time, the government has moved away from the time when the governor was seen as a tin god, a time when the governor demanded worship, so to say; to a time when the governor has become a symbol, a rallying point for the people.

“A rallying point for accountability of resources of our people. A rallying point for bringing all our people into the same boat. We are in an era where there is massive and extensive consultation going on. This is the order of the day when nobody’s view is thrown away.”

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Atemea Briggs, who stated the the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road project was a state highway that would be connecting two separate Trunk-A federal roads, explained that it would be constructed as a dual carriageway with solar-powered street lights to provide associated benefits of improving the fortunes of the people who will be using the road.

Charles Bekee, representing the community, who recalled how the road, once reconstructed in 2001, collapsed a decade after because of an increased volume of vehicular traffic, noted that the road remained deplorable for a long time until Fubara awarded the contract for the reconstruction.

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Assuring the benefiting communities in the three LGAs that the road traverses have already resolved to protect the project with a high level of cooperation to give the contractor the impetus to achieve its mandate, he pledged unalloyed support of the three local government areas to Fubara.

Commissioners in the camp of Nyesom Wike, are once again throwing in the towel in what signals a fresh mass exodus from the government of Siminalayi Fubara, similar to the situation last year, when the feud between the two camps was festering, before the intervention of President Bola Tinubu, which led to them to return to their positions.

The current situation is a fallout of the escalation of hostilities since last week, when the two camps picked up the gauntlets to do battle once again, with the governor being on the offensive this time, including threatening to set up a panel of inquiry to investigate his predecessor, now, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

Following in the footstep of Zaccheaus Adangor, former Attorney General of the State and Commissioner for Justice (AGS-CoJ), a known Wike supporter, who resigned last week, Chinedu Mmom, Gift Worlu, Jacobson Nbina, and Austen Ben-Chioma, Commissioners for Education, Housing, Transport and the Environment, respectively, all among the nine commissioners who had previously resigned in the heat of the political crisis in the state before Tinubu’s intervention, threw in their resignation letter on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, Fubara, had upped the ante, describing Wike as a rat eating from the bag of garri in the state, accusing him of leaving a huge debt burden for him, adding that time had come to open a can of worms the former governor left behind.

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“I write to formally tender my resignation as a member of the Rivers State Executive Council as the Commissioner for Education with effect from today, May 15, 2024. It is a truism that a calm, safe, and friendly environment would stimulate efficient service delivery and enhanced productivity. It is, however, unfortunate to note that my current workspace has become toxic and no longer guarantees a favourable environment to enable me to realise my set targets for the education sector in the state.

“There is loss of trust, animosity and sharp division among colleagues in the same cabinet which is unhealthy and very unfortunate. I want to thank Your Excellency for the opportunity to serve in your cabinet and wish your administration well,” Mmom, wrote in his letter of resignation to the State Government (SSG), Tammy Danagogo.

Ben-Chioma, wrote: “I hereby tender my resignation as the Commissioner for Environment, Rivers State, on this day, May 15, 2024. I want to sincerely appreciate Your Excellency for giving me the opportunity to be a part of the State Executive Council.

“My decision to resign is due to the political crisis befalling our dear Rivers State and other personal reasons. It was a privilege to have been of service to you in your administration and wish you all the best in your tenure.”

Worlu’s letter dated May 15, read: “I write to resign my appointment as the Commissioner for Housing formally. One of the most difficult decisions in my life yet, it is precipitated by the toxic atmosphere that has characterised our working relationship, especially the smouldering arbitrariness of decisions and actions, including the attempt to fuse the executive and legislative arms of government in Rivers State.

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“I thank you for the opportunity to serve in your government and wish you the best as you continue to steer the ship of state. Kindly accept the assurances of my esteemed regards.”