Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has said the reasons behind the political crisis that erupted in the state are beginning to unfold for many more people to understand it clearly.
The governor, however, stated that good things do not come by so easily because, like a seed put into the ground, dies before germinating, sometimes things will get bad before they eventually become better.
Fubara stated this while addressing eight new judges shortly after they were sworn in at the Executive Chambers of Government House in Port Harcourt on Friday.
This was contained in a statement issued by Fubara’s Spokesman, Nelson Chukwudi, and sent to newsmen.
The sworn-in eight new High Court judges include Hon. Justice Frank Onyiri; Hon Justice Victor Chinedum Ugoji; Hon Justice Godswill Vidal Obomanu; Hon Justice Rita Chituru Oguguo; Hon Justice Alatuwo Elkanah Fubara; Hon Justice Bariyima Sylvester Kokpan; Hon Justice Lesi Wifa-Adedipe; and Hon Justice Ibietela Innocent Madighi Obu.
The governor declared that Rivers, having gone through the crucible of the crisis, is at a stage of rebirth with the promise of everything considered to have gone wrong being restored, if not totally but at 90 percent.
He said: “I want to thank every one of you, more especially our judges. You’ve been very strong even in the face of this crisis that we find ourselves in. God will lead us through it. I think it’s for a purpose, and that purpose gradually is unfolding, and we are seeing it ourselves.
“Things have to get bad before it will get well. You don’t harvest a maize without planting it. When these seeds are planted, they decay and they now, from there, start growing.
“So, I strongly believe that what we are facing, at the stage we are, is for a rebirth of our state, and with your support, we are going to get everything right. At least, if not everything, 90 percent of our issues will be right.”
Fubara recalled how smoothly the journey had started when he assumed office because the political family then was united, but added that halfway through, there were unexplainable attempts to abort the administration.
“But God was kind because He has offered another golden opportunity to steady the course of governance, stir up hope in the people, and provide trusted leadership that is now widely accepted,” he said.
He noted, “We are here today to consummate that process so that there’s l will be more judicial officers that will help to drive the process of our judiciary in the state. This opportunity (appointment) wasn’t given to you by me, that is the truth. It is God that made it. Some of you here have looked for it in several ways.
“Some of you were even opportune to be magistrate nominees, but you didn’t make it. But, you are here today as Judges. It is only God that has made it, it is not me.”
Fubara told the newly sworn-in judges that he would never call any of them up to ask them to do anything wrong because he expects them to be bold in standing up for the truth and restoring hope in the judiciary.
He added, “So, I am not going to ask you for anything, and I know that I have never called anyone of you here to ask for anything. Discharge your duty with the fear of God.
” I am saying it here, I will never call any of you here or even the older ones there to go and do what is wrong. Stand for what is right, and that is the only way God will elevate you; that is the truth.
“There is a line in our new national anthem that says a country where no man is oppressed. You are supposed to be at that balance. When anybody calls you for something that is not just, you ought to have the boldness to tell the person: this is not right, and I am not going to do it. My message is simple: do what is right, defend the course that you stand for, justice and equity.”
