“So, for that reason, when we act, we act as humans; human
vessels that God has used, and not seeing yourself as God.
“I want to say this clearly that we appreciate the role our
leaders, most especially the immediate past governor, played. But that is not
enough for me to worship a human being. I can’t do that,” he said.
He noted that in seeking peaceful resolution to the
political crisis that erupted in the state last year, he had attended several
reconciliation meetings, whose resolutions the other party had rebuffed.
The governor said that the Martin Amaewhule-led House of
Assembly does not exist as far as the law is concerned.
He maintained that he had acted like the big brother in the
crisis, not interested in destroying the ‘house’, so that meaningful
development can continue to be engendered in the state while securing a tenable
political relationship.
“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 out
of the ordinary to engage in 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.
