Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has disclosed that the battle for the sole control of the state’s resources is the real reason for the ongoing political crisis in Rivers. He, however, gave the assurance that he would continue to utilise the state’s resources judiciously for the overall interest of the people.
Fubara stated this while addressing the congregation of Omega Power Ministries (OPM) Worldwide during the 51st birthday of the General Overseer, Apostle Chibuzor Gift Chinyere, and the 18th anniversary of the church at Mbodo, Aluu, near Port Harcourt on Sunday.
The governor said: “There is a reason for this crisis, and that reason is the control of the resources of Rivers. The state resources belong to you, and we will make sure that the resources are applied judiciously for the betterment of Rivers.
He therefore called for continuous prayers from the church for his administration to remain focused with a view to achieving the purpose of governance in the state.
Fubara lauded the General Overseer of OPM Worldwide for his philanthropic works and contributions to humanity. He also donated the sum of N200 million to the church to support its ongoing infrastructure development projects.
He said: “I want to commend you for what you are doing. Life is not about taking. What is important in life is giving, and anybody who believes that it is only taking, the person won’t go far in life.
“Look at what you just showed me here. How many of our schools are still functioning to provide that level of training? They are no longer there! We met a dead system which we are trying to revive. But you are doing it as a private person. Why won’t God bless you?”
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Police Command has refuted the rumoured violent altercation between some security operatives loyal to Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, in Government House, Port Harcourt.
A statement by the Command on Sunday said such an “unsubstantiated report currently circulating, alleging a violent altercation at the Rivers State Government House involving supposed military forces allegedly loyal to Wike and Fubara”, was false, adding that “we can confirm that there was no such incident, and this narrative is a deliberate fabrication aimed at inciting fear, confusion, and unrest within Rivers State”.
Signed by SP Grace Iringe-Koko, Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, the statement said that there have been “no reports of armed confrontations or casualties involving Nigerian military personnel within Rivers State.
“Furthermore, Governor Fubara has neither ordered a curfew nor called for any form of take-over of security operations within the state by militant groups. The Nigeria Police Force and other security and law enforcement agencies remain in full control, actively maintaining peace and security in Rivers State and across the State.
“This false narrative serves no purpose other than to disturb the peace and tranquillity in the State. The public is therefore urged to disregard these false rumours and refrain from spreading unfounded and destructive reports, while we call on all and sundry to verify information from credible sources and avoid sharing sensational and baseless claims targeted at causing discord.”
Sources informed our correspondent that the governor left in a convoy with all the security operatives in Government House to attend Sunday service at Salvation Ministry in the morning and thereafter attended a birthday service of his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, in another church.
