THE last is yet to be heard of the political upheaval in Rivers State between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his erstwhile boss, Nyesom Wike, as members of the legislative arm of the local governments have risen in support of the governor’s action against their outgoing Council Chairmen.
The councillors who spoke under the aegis of ‘The Legislative Councils Councillors’ Forum’ pick up th fight against their Chairmen accusing them of financial recklessness, misappropriation and theft.
Giving a stamp of approval to Gov. Fubara’s decision to bypass the Chairmen in the payment of April and May salaries of LG workers, the councillors said the governor, by the action, has demonstrated deep love for the people at the grassroots.
Their position was contained in a communique they issued from their recent meeting wherein they lauded Gov. Fubara for the prompt payment of salary and emoluments of workers in the state.
The councillors also lauded the governor for executing projects that impact the lives of the people.
The communique, which was signed by Hon. Reginald Promise (Leader, Omuma Legislative Council), Hon. Larry ID Ibaningo (Leader, Bonny Legislative Council), Hon. Christian Ewah (Leader, Ahoada West Legislative Council), Hon. Samuel Manilla (Leader, Opobo/Nkoro Legislative Council), and Hon. Bernard Unwe ThankGod (Leader, Ahoada East Legislative Council) reads:
“Our attention has been drawn to a purported plot by the Local Government Chairmen to mobilize some miscreants in the guise of Councillors forum to cause mayhem in the state.
“The Chairmen whose tenure is winding down in few days time have resorted to making unwarranted and unguarded statements to sabotage the government of His Excellency, Ama-Opusenibo Sir. Siminialayi Fubara.
“It is on record that His Excellency has paid all civil servants as well as the political class, hence any kind of political sabotage in the guise of
protest amounts to nothing but a nuisance by the Chairmen and the Councillors
“His Excellency, Ama-Opusenibo Sir. Siminialayi Fubara GSSRS, KSC, the Governor of Rivers State is passionate, dedicated and committed to service delivery to the people of Rivers State, it can only take those that do not mean well for the State to oppose the proactive and people driven policies of His Administration.
“His Excellency has paid salaries promptly, and his projects and programs are very visible and people oriented.
“In fact, there’s no better time to speak than now, on how wicked, greedy and self-centered these Chairmen have been in their ill-mannered
treatment meted out on the Councillors and LGAs at large.
“These Chairmen receive timely huge amounts of allocations and IGRs, yet they have done little to show for it, say for one or two LGAs that actually used the funds judiciously to the benefit of the people of their LGAs.
“It is interesting to know that Councillors under the dispensation of these LGA Chairmen have been nothing short of slaves. No wardrobe
allowances, no trainings, no car loans, no constituency projects in our various Wards, no severance package, not even a conducive legislative complex for us to do our work, yet, they have the mind to sabotage the efforts of His Excellency.
“Some LGA Chairmen, up till this moment, have refused to present their Budgets; yet, they have been appropriating funds without following due process. That is how high-handed and corrupt they have become.
“This is the reason they are illegally clamouring through the back door to elongate their tenure in office, which we (Councillors) are not part of it, and disassociate ourselves from such.
“Their actions are nothing short of greed and selfishness, as they have planned on how not to pay salaries in the months of April and May, but for the intervention of His Excellency.
We wish to thank His Excellency for this kind intervention.
“In the light of the foregoing, we the Legislative Council Leaders, on behalf of the Councillors Forum, call on His Excellency, the good people of Rivers State and the general public to disregard any group of persons in any guise who plan to cause any form of security breach in the State. We, therefore, call on His Excellency to call the Commissioner of Police and the State Director of DSS to beef up security within and around the state.
“We assure of our unalloyed and unwavering support to his administration, and we are certain that the people of Rivers State are strongly with His Excellency anytime any day.”
