By: Bethel Toby
A prominent human rights activist and coordinator of a non- governmental advocacy group in Rivers State, the Centre For Good Governance Initiative(CEFORGI), Barr. Gerald Fynecountry, has cautioned politicians, especially members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and other stakeholders for discriminating against the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, describing it as, ” very uncalled for in a democratic system”.
Speaking with PH Mundial recently in Port-Harcourt on the need to back the Fubara- led government after lifting the six months imposed emergency rule by President Bola Tinubu early this year, Fynecountry urged the lawmakers, who he said, failed to toe the line of peaceful co-existence as embedded in the truce, as brokered by Mr President remains a total disservice to the state. He cited the boycotting of the 2025 Independence Anniversary Celebration Thanksgiving Service organized by the state government, adding that, ” Rivers people will not tolerate further insubordination and reckless abandon by the lawmakers, the 22 Local Government Chairmen, and other stakeholders.
He argued that instead of them to join forces with the Governor to build an egalitarian Rivers State of the founding fathers dreams, they are bent on casting aspersions that does not in any way bring good tidings to Rivers people.
The activist warned that it will not sit down and watch political jobbers misuse the opportunity given them to create problems, rather than working together with the executive to rebuild trust, love, togetherness, peaceful co-existence, accountability, and quality service delivery to the people that had been fractured by ethnic politics many years ago.
”In Rivers State, we are not known as trouble- shooters, but problem- solvers, peaceful people and hardworking sets of people. I wonder why our lawmakers, council chairmen and other stakeholders are bent on causing disparity in governance. We should stop deceiving ourselves and candidly appreciate God Almighty for bringing the person in the calibre of Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara and his team, to provide the eluded dividends of democracy to the people.
”There is no reason whatsoever for these pro- Wike’s lawmakers and council chairmen, to continue to fan the ember of discord, political wars, and turn insubordinate while in the service of the state and its people.
”We must respect the rule of law, the governor and other heads of government. It is very insensitive for the lawmakers and council chairmen, with other stakeholders, to boycott the Thanksgiving Service organized by the Rivers State Government(RSG), to herald the 2025 Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary Celebration remains a slap to democracy.
” Governor Siminalayi Fubara has come to build better development bridges for the well-being of the people of the state and not the other way round.
” I called on President Bola Tinubu to question the rationale behind the State Assembly lawmakers and council chairmen, including other stakeholders reasons for absenting themselves from participating in this year’s edition of Nigeria’s independence anniversary celebration marked nationwide”, Barr. Gerald Fynecountry pleaded.
Meanwhile, Barr. Gerald Fynecountry, has thanked President Bola Tinubu for lifting the six months imposed emergency rule on the state, and the return of democratic governance, where he reinstated Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his Deputy, Prof Ngozi Odu, members of the State Assembly, including other stakeholders, describing the action as, ” victory for democracy”.
He used the opportunity to admonish the Governor not to be deterred by the negative actions of the lawmakers, council chairmen and other political stakeholders, describing their actions as insensitive, reckless abandon and creating of politics of calumny.
He assured the Governor and his administration of the group’s unflinching loyalty and support, to be able to move the state forward developmentally.
