- He maintained that he is not interested in setting the ‘house’ on fire, adding that his goal is to bring meaningful development to the State while securing a pleasant political atmosphere
Governor Sim Fubara of Rivers State has said the crisis rocking the State can hinder its growth and development.
Fubara said his desire is to lead a crisis-free Rivers and bring much needed development to the state, adding that he has acted in good faith and behave like the big brother in his bid to find lasting solution to the political impasse in the Statem
He spoke on Monday while addressing a delegation of political and traditional leaders from Bayelsa State who visited him at the Government House in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
He stated that in seeking peaceful resolution to the political crisis that has engulfed the state since last year, he had attended several reconciliation meetings, whose resolutions the other party had rebuffed.
He maintained that he is not interested in setting the ‘house’ on fire, adding that his goal is to bring meaningful development to the State while securing a pleasant political atmosphere.
“But I know that I have always taken the path of peace. I have shown respect. I’ve subjected myself to every meeting of reconciliation for peace. And what happens, each time we come out from such meetings, we are faced with one thunder or lightning,” he stated.
The governor pointed out that when he assumed office, it was with the resolve to build on the existing foundation of development of past leaders, especially the immediate past governor.
Governor Fubara further stressed that it would have been senseless to pick any political fight when there was so much work to be done for the state and its people as their governor.
He said he strongly felt that it was proper to set some records straight about what had become a minor problem that was not uncommon in every human relationship.
“But it is a bad thing when the problem that ought not to be anything, becomes something, and in fact, gets out of the bedroom to the sitting room and to the compound. That is the case of Rivers State today.
“I am also happy that you even mentioned the issues, even when I have all the instruments of State powers. I have shown restraint, and I believe that whoever is alive and has been following the activities of our dear state, knows that I have acted as a big brother in the course of this crisis.
“I have not acted like a young man that may want the house to be destroyed but I have behaved like a matured young man that I am. This is because I know that no meaningful development will be achieved in an atmosphere of crisis.
“And because our intention for Rivers State is to build on the foundation that had been laid by our past leaders, it will be wrong for me to take the path of promoting the crisis. That is why we are still recording the development that you are hearing around Rivers State,” he added.