Following developments in Rivers State in the past 48 hours, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, yesterday summoned an emergency state security council meeting, which was attended by heads of all the security agencies in the state.
Addressing journalists after the meeting at Government House, Port Harcourt, Fubara assured that he will fearlessly lead the way to ensure peace in the state while also protecting all patriotic supporters for their stand on the path of truth.
The governor emphasized that no grand plan to arrest such patriotic supporters on trumped-up charges will be tolerated.
He stated that there is no extension of tenure of elected local government chairmen, adding that the law is unambiguous it, clarifying that the court has also affirmed the position of the law.
Fubara said: “Let me also say this: I’m also aware that there is a grand plan to come and arrest some of our supporters. This time around, you have to pass through me to arrest them because I don’t think there is anything that any of those people following us has done. Rather, they are standing on the side of truth.
“If it will cost us our lives to stand on the part of truth, we will do that. And I will be the one to lead the course.
“Let me assure everyone, especially the great and peace-loving people of Rivers State: the law is the law. The law has said that there is no extension of tenure.
“The court said so, and whoever is assuring anybody anywhere of whatever, I advise them to desist from it because peace is what we need in this State.
“I assure every one of you that whatever it takes to ensure that we maintain peace and order, we are not going back on that.”
The governor explained that the security council meeting was called because the outgoing chairmen of the local government councils had recently threatened the peace of the state.
He said: “You are all aware that the tenure of the council chairmen ended yesterday, 17th June, 2024, and today, we have ordered the Heads of Local Government Administration to be in charge while they await further directives.
“It’s unfortunate that we started hearing disturbing news from some LGAs about the invasion of council secretariats. So, we have called the Security Council Meeting so that we can do what is needed.
“We are also aware that our enemy is also planning a lot of things. But we will not fall into that plot. We will not allow him or them to destroy the peace we enjoy in the State.”
Fubara thanked the media and the peace-loving people of the State for their support and urged everyone to continue to remain law-abiding for the unity and progress of the State.
