Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has apologized to the people of the state for the state’s current political crisis.
Fubara who described the issue as “regrettable anxieties of the last few days,” added that sacrifices were necessary for peace to rule.
Fubara made the remarks in a signed statement titled ‘Peace is priceless,’ which was distributed to journalists on Saturday in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
While mentioning the bombing of the state House of Assembly building and the resulting schism among lawmakers, Fubara noted that his visit to the House was to examine the extent of the damage caused by the fire and to take corrective steps to protect lives and property within the assembly complex.
Fubara commended President Bola Tinubu for his intervention, which he claimed created a number of communication channels aimed at peacefully resolving the problem.
Fubara went on to declare that no sacrifice was too great for him to make and that it is the combined obligation of his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, and himself to utilize their positions to further the people’s progress, security, and well-being.
Fubara’s statement reads, “My dear good people of Rivers State, I consider it necessary to issue this press statement on the developments of the past few days in our dear state.
“Late on Sunday, October 29, 2023, I was inundated with reports that the hallowed chamber of the Rivers State House of Assembly has been gutted by fire. The blaze was successfully put out by the fire service, after which security agencies took control of the situation.
“My visit to the assembly complex on Monday, October 30, 2023, was to assess the level of damage and undertake remedial measures to protect lives and property within the assembly complex. I charged the security agencies to thoroughly investigate the incident and report it to me.
“Shortly after, I got reports that the state House of Assembly had broken into two factions: one claiming to have impeached and suspended the House Leader and three others preparatory to initiating an impeachment action against me, and the other rival faction impeaching the Speaker and Deputy Speaker, thus sparking off some form of political crisis.
“I wish to thank the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, for his fatherly intervention, which opened a series of communication channels to facilitate the timely resolution of the festering crisIs. I wish to also thank our elders who are currently intervening in the matter.
“Let me clearly state that my actions are aimed at restoring peace and stability in our state. I am a man of peace, and as governor, the advancement of our state is my primary concern.
“Consequently, no sacrifice is too much for me to make to achieve this objective. Furthermore, as leaders, it is the collective responsibility of the immediate past governor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, and my humble self, to leverage our positions and influences within and outside the state to advance the progress, security, and well-being of our people.
“We must, therefore, not allow circumstances that could retard all efforts at achieving greatness for our people to prevail.
“On our part, we are always willing and ready to embrace the path to lasting peace and tranquilly with a commitment to consummating all efforts and initiatives by Mr. President and other well-meaning Nigerians, including my brother governors and the elders.
“I assure the people of Rivers State that peace will certainly prevail, and we shall continue to work together to advance the peace, security, and progress of our state.
“As governor, I sincerely apologize to the good people of Rivers State for the regrettable anxieties of the last few days, while thanking you all for your concerns and continued support, love, and prayers. May God continue to bless our dear Rivers State.”
![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")
