…As Timi Frank accuses Tinubu of plot to remove Governor
…Police dismiss as rumours altercation between Gov. Fubara, Military at Govt House
Emmanuel Nlewedum, Port Harcourt
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has revealed that the current political crisis rocking the State is for the sole control of the state resources.
This is as he has assured Rivers people that he will continue to utilize the state resources judiciously for the betterment and overall interest of the people.
Governor Fubara made the revelation 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 Celebration of the church at the Headquarters, Mbodo, Aluu near Port Harcourt on Sunday.
The Governor, however, sued for continuous prayers from the church in order for his administration to remain focused with a view to achieving the purpose of governance in the State.
He said, “There is a reason for this crisis, and that reason is the control of the resources of Rivers State. Rivers State resources belong to you, and we will make sure that the resources are applied judiciously for the betterment of Rivers State.
“What you owe us is just one thing: Continue to pray for us. Let us not lose focus because we know the devil is always at war to derail people in governance. Continue to pray for us because what is most important is the interest of the people here, and I believe that with your prayers, we will not lose focus and the purpose of governance will be achieved in Rivers State”, he noted.
Governor Fubara lauded the General Overseer of OPM Worldwide, Apostle Chinyere for his philanthropic works and contributions to humanity.
The Governor, who noted the decay of public amenities met on assumption of office, commended the General Overseer of OPM Worldwide for the various educational programmes in the ministry aimed at providing children the requisite vocational and technical knowledge needed for future employment.
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.
“For all you are doing for humanity, God will continue to strengthen you. You don’t know what you are doing, but those of us who are outside understand your contributions to humanity.
“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?”
The Governor further thanked Apostle Chinyere and the congregation for the support to his administration, particularly the prayers, which he noted, have kept the government alive, in spite of all the challenges, urging them to continue to pray for the progress of Rivers State and defense of humanity.
He also donated the sum of N200million to the church to support its going infrastructure development projects.
“Let me say congratulations to this church because the GO “Power” will not succeed without the support of you. So, I want to thank you for supporting Power.
“I am happy to be here, especially to celebrate this birthday with him. He has been a very strong supporter of our cause. Right from the time we started this journey, he has kept faith with me in prayers.
“I strongly believe his prayer and the prayers of the church are one of the reasons that while in the face of all our troubles, we are still standing. There is nothing God cannot do. So, I know that with your continuous prayers, we will overcome this present challenge.
“I am aware that there is a building for your TV station, and one of the dreams for that place is when you finish it, guests will be staying there when they come for programmes. Let me, on behalf of the government and everyone of you here, and the good people of Rivers State, donate the sum of N200million to support the project.
“Power has injected my own power to you. So, I need more power, more power for the progress of Rivers State, more power for the defense of humanity in Rivers State. God will bless you people for your prayers, and I assure you, we will not fail you,” the Governor said.
The Governor had earlier attended the birthday thanksgiving service of the State Deputy Governor, Prof Ngozi Odu, at the Salvation Ministries, GRA Phase 2, Port Harcourt.
Meanwhile, Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has accused President Bola Tinubu of masterminding a sinister plot to remove the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, from office.
This is even as he condemned in the strongest terms the recent bizarre ruling by a Federal High Court seizing the monthly allocations accruing to Rivers State.
Frank who made these disclosures in a statement in Abuja at the weekend, described the obnoxious court decision as one of the scripts written by the President in his bid to either force Fubara to join the APC or be removed from office.
“This is why the President has remained mute despite the gross violation of the Constitution by the courts and police in Rivers state all this while.
“The President is angry that Fubara disrespected him by refusing to join the APC because the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has convinced him that he cannot win presidential election in Rivers State in 2027 with Fubara in charge,” Frank said.
According to the Bayelsa-born political activist, Wike is the proxy fighting Fubara on behalf of the President.
“Already all security agencies and federal government institutions are against Fubara because they have been directed to ensure that Fubara succumbs to the President’s wishes or be removed.
“This is the only reason why Justice Joyce Abdulmalik can make an unconstitutional order concerning statutory allocations to Rivers without fear of consequences but the consequences will be dire,” he said.
He however warned the President to steer clear off Rivers State as any attempt to touch the funds legally accruing to the state or to force Fubara out of office will be resisted by the people of the State and the entire Niger Delta region.
“There will definitely be consequences for any illegal action aimed at destabilising Rivers State or intimidating, persecuting and removing Fubara from office. Rivers’ people and the Niger Delta will resist it to the extent that the entire country will feel the impact as the President will not be able to quell the unimaginable uprising that will result from the action,” he said.
He urged Fubara to remain steadfast in standing for the people and defending the sovereignty of Rivers state saying the people are solidly behind him.
He equally called on leaders of the international community to wade into the crisis by prevailing on the President to stop his plot to remove Fubara or compel him to join the APC, saying that the operations of International Oil Companies (IOCs) in the Niger Delta region would be affected should crisis engulf the region.
“A stitch in time saves nine. Let the international community step in now before the crisis boils over. The IOCs definitely need peace to carry out their operations in the region,” he said.
Besides, Frank who is the president of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP), Ambassador to East Africa and the Middle East, described the unconstitutional ruling by a Federal High Court in Abuja seizing the allocations of Rivers State as a severe affront on democracy and the rule of law in Nigeria and urged the people to resist it.
He called on Nigerians to hold Tinubu responsible for any harm that befalls Fubara and the people of Rivers state as his goons beset the state.
Also, Rivers State Police Command has dismissed as rumour, reports of an altercation between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and supposed military forces allegedly loyal to Minister of Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike at the Government House in Port Harcourt.
The State Police Command in a statement on Sunday by its spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, clarified that such an incident never occurred, describing the report as false rumour fabricated by mischief makers, intending to cause unrest in the state.
The statement reads in part, “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.
“There have been no reports of armed confrontations or casualties involving Nigerian military personnel within Rivers State.
The police also stated that 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 Rivers Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Grace Iringe-Koko assured that the Police and other security and law enforcement agencies “remain in full control, actively maintaining peace and security in Rivers State and across the state.”
She advised members of the public to disregard the rumours while advising against “spreading unfounded and destructive reports”.
She reiterated that the police in Rivers State, led by the Commissioner, CP Mustapha Bala is commited to ensuring the safety and security of all residents.
According to her, the CP, Mustapha Bala “has advised residents of Rivers State to go about their lawful activities without fear, as the police and other security agencies are on the ground, vigilantly ensuring that peace and security are preserved at all times.”
