By Ignatius Chukwu And Kelechi Nwaucha
Copyright businessday
Multitudes of Rivers State citizens from different local council areas danced all day on Thursday, waiting for Sim Fubara, their governor, but in vain.
By 8am, residents had begun gathering at the Government House areas, and by noon, the surrounding roads were completely blocked. Many arrived in colourful cultural and modern outfits, showcasing the state’s diversity, while others rushed to the airport in anticipation of the governor’s return.
Read also: Rivers Assembly begins sitting after emergency rule, set legislative agenda
Supporters said nobody sponsored them to the venue. Some groups sang songs reminiscent of past political tensions, seemingly unaware that hostilities had long subsided.
Most of the jubilant persons who spoke to newsmen advised Fubara to get quickly to work and begin the rehabilitation and development of the state. They made it clear they were not sponsored by anybody because they truly loved the governor.
Members of the crowd however wondered why their governor did not show up for work in the Brick House when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had directed that he resume duty on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly who fought against Fubara were on prompt duty.
They resolved to write Fubara requesting that he forward list of commissioner-nominees to the House for screening and confirmation.
The House made the resolution following a motion during plenary by Major Jack, House leader, and nine others, to set legislative agenda for the House for the remaining third session of the 10th Assembly
Jack, while making his submission, also urged the House to write the governor to forward the 2025 Appropriation Law to the Assembly
He also moved that the House direct the probe of the six months’ expenditures of the state during the emergency rule.
Read also: Rivers assembly resumes plenary, demands review of emergency spending
Other members, including Solomon Wami and Tekenari Granville, aligned with various items raised in the motion.
Martin Amaewhule, speaker, commended members for their commitment and stressed the need for the governor to present the budget and forward names of the commissioner-nominees to the Assembly.
The House adjourned plenary to Monday 22nd of September.
