Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has pledged to implement the recommendations of a seven-member judicial commission of inquiry that investigated post-election violence in the state. The Governor made the commitment during the presentation of the commission’s report by its Chairman, Justice Ibiwengi Minakiri, at the Executive Chambers of Government House in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
Governor Fubara emphasized that no one, regardless of their position or influence, would be spared from the consequences of the findings. “We are not going to be part of any system that would encourage any destruction in this State. And for that reason, we had to inaugurate this commission so that this commission should look into the remote and immediate causes of this problem,” Fubara said.
The Governor stressed that politics should never be equated with violence and chaos, but should remain a contest of ideas. He further added that politics should not create permanent enemies or friends, but rather foster healthy competition. “Politics should not be synonymous with chaos but a contest of ideas without permanent enemies or friends,” he stated.
Fubara assured that his administration would take the necessary steps to implement the commission’s recommendations, stating that the next step would involve presenting the report to the Executive Council. “The report will be presented to the Executive Council, and there, we will surely come out with the White Paper. And with the White Paper, I can assure you that we are going to follow it to the end,” he promised.
The Governor also emphasized that the law would apply to all, including himself, if any violations were uncovered. “Nobody is above the law, including me. So, provided what we are doing is within the confines of the law, we will do it with the help of everyone,” he said.
The report, which comprises four volumes, includes memoranda collected after public publications, exhibits, and the proceedings from the commission’s hearings. Fubara highlighted the comprehensive nature of the investigation, which resulted in the final report that was presented.
This development comes in the wake of the local government elections held on October 9, 2024, in Rivers State, where violence erupted in some areas. Political thugs were reportedly involved in the destruction of the local government council secretariats in Emohua, Ikwerre, and Eleme, further underscoring the need for such an inquiry.
