My decision to embrace peace not out of fear, says Fubara

.Explains reason Ehie resigned as Speaker, House member

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has said that his decision to toe a peaceful path, in the lingering political crisis in the state, was not borne out of fear, but for peace to reign in the state.

Fubara said: “Every decision that we’ve taken is not borne out of fear, but because we have the interest of our people at heart, and we have respect for elders.”

The governor stated this while addressing Rivers people at the maiden state banquet held by his administration at the Government House, Port Harcourt, on Monday, to celebrate the New Year.

Fubara, however, appealed to residents to embrace the ongoing peace process at the instance of President Bola Tinubu, stating that his administration will not be enmeshed in any dirty political war that would hinder the promising prospects of development in the state.

He said: “I’m appealing to every one of us to embrace peace. We need peace because our intention is not for our personal interest, but for the development of the state.”

Meanwhile, Fubara has broken his silence on the resignation of Edison Ehie as both the factional Speaker and member of the state Assembly.

Ehie, who loyally identified with Fubara during the crisis, decided to quit his position as a member representing Ahoada East Constituency II in a letter, dated December 29, 2023, and addressed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

While addressing dignitaries, including former Governor Peter Odili and his wife, Mary, at the first state banquet at the Government House, on Monday, Fubara said Ehie’s resignation indicated the extent he could go to achieve peace in Rivers.

However, the Rivers State House of Assembly has refuted claims by Ehie of being the Speaker of the 10th Assembly, declaring that he never occupied such office.

Reacting to a recent resignation letter Ehie addressed to the Chairman of the INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, notifying him of his resignation as Speaker and member of the 10th state Assembly, the Clerk of the House, Emeka Amadi, in a statement, said the letter was misleading.

Amadi, in a disclaimer, noted that after the proclamation of the 10th Rivers State House of Assembly by the governor, on June 5, 2023, and in line with Section 92 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as altered), as the then Acting Clerk of the House, conducted the election that produced Martin Amaewhule, as the Speaker of the 10th state Assembly by unanimous votes of all other 31 members sitting and present.