•Governor’s supporters urge Wike, lawmakers to embrace peace
Rivers State House of Assembly has accused the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, of frustrating the implementation of the Supreme Court’s judgment, especially the aspect requiring him to re-present the 2025 Appropriation Bill to the lawmakers.
The Assembly called on members of the public to compel the governor to sincerely follow the established due process in presenting the appropriation bill instead of playing to the gallery; whipping up public sentiment with a motive to demonise the lawmakers.
The Chairman, House Committee on Information and the spokesperson of the House, Dr Enemi Alabo George, who spoke, yesterday, in Port Harcourt, challenged the governor to produce the acknowledged copy of the letter he sent to the House.
George said: “Last week, we were told that on his way to Ogoni for a programme, the governor made a stopover at the gate of the House of Assembly Quarters to grant an interview to the press.”
George alleged that the governor frustrated all the efforts of the House to work with him to resolve the lingering crisis immediately after the Supreme Court judgment, particularly on the aspect of presenting the Appropriation Bill in the interest of the state.
MEANWHILE, worried by the impact of the lingering political crisis in Rivers State, women in the state have called on the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; and members of the State House of Assembly to sheathe their swords and give peace a chance.
Speaking on behalf of the women, a former member of the State House of Assembly, who represented Ahoada East Constituency 1, Beatrice Awala, regretted that women and children would suffer more should the crisis degenerate.
Awala said the governor had exhibited a peaceful disposition since the political crisis began, which, according to her, is a good reason for the opposing camp to toe the line of peace.
The women made the call in Port Harcourt at the weekend after prayers and fasting sessions held at the Isaac Boro Park, Port Harcourt, which was organised by Rivers Women Unite for Sim.
Awala said: “I stand as an elder stateswoman in this programme today.
We are praying for peace, we are praying for unity, we are praying for progress, we are praying for development.”
We are praying that one governor should rule at a time. If anything happens the effect will be more on the women and children. And women of Rivers State we are crying and we are praying that they should remember the people of Rivers State.”
Also, a former Vice Chairman Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area, Christianah Tamunobelesuari,said the essence of the prayer was to preach peace, pointing out that the state needed peace to develop.
Another member of the group, Gloria Kalada-Nonju, called on the lawmakers and the FCT minister, to also give peace a chance for the interest of the state.
In her sermon, titled “David and Goliath,” Dr (Mrs) Queen Karibi-Botoye, recalled how God intervened for the children of Israel during their challenges.
She said the interest of the women was not for anyone to die, but to come together and build the state for the greater good of all.
