Fubara signed agreement, committed to peace — Rivers Govt

Parties in the political imbroglio in Rivers State, on Wednesday, commenced moves to end the crisis with the Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr. Joseph Johnson, saying that Governor Siminalayi Fubara would implement the agreements brokered by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Johnson, who noted that the governor signed the document containing the eight resolutions between the warring factions in the state, said his principal would be implementing the agreement reached.

Also, the group of 27 lawmakers, who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the All Progressives Congress, APC, withdrew their impeachment notice against Fubara, yesterday.

However, an attempt by the legislators to withdraw Fubara’s court order was stalled as the counsel to the Rivers State Government said he did not have the instruction of the government to withdraw the matter.

Dropping of the impeachment moves against Fubara and withdrawal of cases against the G27 by the state government, Fubara, and his team were two of the eight-point agreements reached in Abuja.

This came as Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, eight Niger-Delta groups and others rejected the Tinubu peace agreement, which they described as a nullity, and a rape on democracy.

Meanwhile, Governor Fubara’s N100,000 Christmas bonus to workers excited the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and Rivers State workers, who prayed that no evil machination formed against the governor shall prosper.”

Johnson said Fubara was committed to the process of peace, adding that the governor would take actions that would cement peace in the state.

The Information Commissioner said Governor Fubara did not show weakness when he agreed to the decisions taken at the meeting, as critics said. He also doused claims that Fubara did not sign the agreement.

His words, “There is nothing to doubt about it. We have gone beyond the issue as to who signed, who didn’t sign. The Bible that we all profess to says we should pursue peace with all men at all costs. Mr. Governor is a stickler to rule.

“And if the President has intervened, he (Fubara) is not a man of perfidy. He will not say something and do the other. In the next couple of hours, I will be unveiling some of the approvals His Excellency has already given as an indication that he is prepared for peace.”

As part of the peace efforts, the Speaker Martin Amaewhule -led G27 legislators, which has 25 lawmakers, yesterday, withdrew the impeachment notice against Fubara at their resumed sitting.

The lawmakers who met at the Assembly quarters in Port Harcourt said their change of mind was in compliance with the resolution brokered by President Tinubu, and out of respect for the president.

Reading the letter by 24 lawmakers, Speaker Amaewhule recalled that on October 30, 2023, he read a notice of impeachment signed by 24 members of the House pursuant to Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, which contained particulars of gross misconduct, and was served on the Governor.

Amaehwule said following the agreement reached on December 18, 2023, at the instance of President Tinubu, the House has withdrawn the notice of impeachment, and would abide by the letters of the agreement and the advice of Mr. President, whom he said members have immense respect for.

The Speaker added that the House would continue to perform its constitutional functions of law making and oversight for the development of the state, and commended President Tinubu for his fatherly role.

However, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, in a quick response said the state government was not aware of the development.