Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, officially swore in Barrister Emmanuel Frank-Fubara as a commissioner on Monday. The ceremony, held at the Executive Council Chambers of the Government House in Port Harcourt at around 5 pm, followed Frank-Fubara’s confirmation by the Victor Oko-Jumbo-led State House of Assembly earlier in the day.
During the swearing-in ceremony, Governor Fubara defended his recognition of the Oko-Jumbo-led assembly, asserting it as the legally recognized legislative body. This comes amidst ongoing disputes regarding the legitimacy of the assembly’s leadership.
Governor Fubara also expressed his dissatisfaction with the police’s handling of a recent bomb explosion in Port Harcourt. He criticized the authorities for their lack of transparency and inaction, particularly because the suspects were not his supporters.
“I have not been hearing anything and I’m wondering, after how many weeks now, the Nigeria police are still not able to come out and make a statement about the attempt by someone – who I don’t know what his name is – who tried to detonate dynamite in front of Hotel Presidential,” Fubara stated.
He further implied a bias in police action, suggesting that if the incident had involved his supporters, there would have been immediate and severe repercussions, including charges of terrorism. The governor recalled past instances where his supporters were arrested and charged with terrorism for alleged crimes they did not commit.
Despite these challenges, Governor Fubara vowed to continue relying on God’s grace and protection in his governance of the state.
Barrister Emmanuel Frank-Fubara, who hails from Abonnema in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area, brings 26 years of legal experience to his new role. During his confirmation, he pledged to leverage his expertise for the development of Rivers State.
The political landscape in Rivers State remains tense, with parallel assemblies and accusations of partisanship and unfair treatment by law enforcement authorities. Governor Fubara’s administration is committed to navigating these challenges while striving for the progress and stability of the state.
