Fubara Moves To End ‘Unreasonable Violence’ In Rivers State Politics, Makes New Pledge

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has made a fresh pledge towards ending the cycle of violence that has plagued the state’s politics.

The governor made the pledge on Tuesday when he received the report of the State Commission of Inquiry on the destruction of local government secretariats.

Governor Fubara vowed to implement its recommendations, no matter who is involved.

The governor made this commitment during the presentation of the commission’s report by its Chairman, Justice Ibiwengi Minakiri, at the Executive Chambers of Government House, Port Harcourt. He stressed the need to end what he described as “unreasonable violence in politics,” stating that politics should not be synonymous with violence but a contest of ideas without permanent enemies or friends.

The governor commended the commission for their resilience in completing the task despite attempts to derail their work, including legal challenges and other forms of obstruction.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the seven-member commission, Justice Ibiwengi Minakiri, detailed the methodology used to compile the report. She noted that visits to affected local government areas—Khana, Eleme, Ikwerre, Emohua, and Obio/Akpor—were instrumental in verifying claims from submitted memoranda.

According to Justice Minakiri, the commission’s proceedings revealed hidden facts about the state and were concluded on November 28, within the stipulated 30 days assigned by the Governor. The report, presented in four volumes, includes memoranda, exhibits, records of proceedings, and findings.

Justice Minakiri urged Governor Fubara to implement the recommendations to ensure lasting peace in the state. She also revealed that some individuals indicted in the memoranda failed to appear before the commission for their defence.