Omiete Blessing
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has said that his led administration is using peace to resolve violence against the government.
He said he is not of the stock of politicians who exclude communities or a whole local government area from the dividends of democracy because of sheer political disagreement.
Governor Fubara made the remarks at the inauguration of Eze Oha Apara Palace for His Royal Majesty, Eze Chike Amadi Worlu-Wodo, the Paramount Ruler of Ekinigbo and Eze Oha Apara IV in Rumuigbo, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, on Thursday.
The Governor stated that his political mindset appreciates the fact that while disagreements cannot be avoided, denying any section of the State requisite public amenities or government support cannot be reckoned with him because it is public fund that will be spent on Rivers people to better their lives.
Governor Fubara was speaking in response to insinuations in some quarters about his generous execution of projects in Obio/Akpor LGA given the fierce political antagonism staged against him by some political leaders.
Governor Fubara said: “Like they said, if it were in other cases, I wouldn’t be interested. No, no, no. I don’t play politics that way. He’s our chairman, he’s from Rivers State, and whatever we are doing, it is not my personal fund; it is the resources of the State. We should apply it for the betterment of our State.
“The only thing I will ask you in return is: continue to support this administration. Be law- abiding. That is the only way we can get more progress and development into your communities. No matter the level of provocation, try to control your temper. We don’t use fight to resolve fight. You use peace, apply it well using the Artificial Intelligence (AI) method to defeat troublemakers.”
Governor Fubara expressed delight to have accomplished the palace for the people of Apara Kingdom, which stands as a proof of the recognition and respect shown to the traditional institution in the State, and described the palace as a beautiful symbol of the respectable status that kings of the State should have to hold their place of pride among their peers.
Governor Fubara said his administration is also constructing for the people of Obio/Akpor, an ultra-modern General Hospital, which will be the first in the area; an upgraded Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital that will enable the State tackle mental health-related challenges, and explained that his administration is building and furnishing a palace for the Akpor King and his people, which will be inaugurated soon.
He said, “So, chairman, as we inaugurate this wonderful palace, we are not ending it here. We want to make sure that because of the support that I can feel here, all the bad roads here, we are going to reconstruct them. So, it is an addition to what we are doing here today. You can feel our love for you in several ways. We are building a general hospital for you, which you don’t have, you know it. We are also upgrading the Psychiatric Hospital to a modern one that can stand the challenges that are ahead of us.
“We are not just ending there, you know, we are building a palace. Maybe, by the special grace of God, by February next year, we will be going to inaugurate it for His Royal Majesty of Akpor. It is a show of love and the importance that I personally attach to the Obio/Akpor people.”
Governor Fubara assured that his administration will continue to address their socio-economic needs while they continue to support his administration, and charged the people to protect the palace because it is now a communal legacy that will be used by successive royal fathers.
Performing the project inauguration, His Eminence, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi-Otu V, the Obong of Calabar, natural ruler, treaty king and grand patriarch of the Erik Kingdom, said Governor Fubara has distinguished himself with such identifiable gesture done for the traditional institution.
He stressed “This is what we expect of successive administrations to realise that they are running a relay race to develop the institution where they find themselves at any given time. Your Excellency, you have done well, and I must say, we are proud of you.
“Today, I am glad to be here to commission this palace which is a physical manifestation of your goodwill, respect and good intention for the traditional institutions.”
The calabar monarch urged other governors and political officials to emulate what Governor Fubara has done for the traditional institution, and be desirous in providing people-oriented projects to their people.
