Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has heightened the state’s political tension by announcing plans to initiate an investigation into the governance practices of his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.
Fubara, who previously held the position of Accountant-General under Wike’s administration, declared the formation of a judicial panel to scrutinize the state’s governance prior to his commencement in office on May 29 of the previous year.
The announcement was made during the swearing-in of Mr. Dagogo Israel Iboroma as the new Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice at the Government House in Port Harcourt.
Iboroma, succeeding Prof. Zaccheaus Adangor, who had shifted to Special Duties before his resignation, was confirmed by a three-member House of Assembly led by Victor Oko-Jumbo.
Governor Fubara emphasized the critical timing of Iboroma’s appointment, tasked with addressing the legal challenges facing the current administration.
Fubara expressed confidence in Iboroma’s capabilities, stating, “My brother, Dagogo Iboroma, you are going to be the brand new Attorney-General of our dear State. SSG, give him his letter, he is the Attorney-General.
“Why are we bringing you at this very critical time? We have a lot of issues around us. We believe that you are not going to be the one that when they send service to you, you go and file “nolle prosequi” (a formal notice of discontinuance) or you go and file one thing that would kill us here.
“Let me also say this. You have a big task. We will be setting up a judicial panel of inquiry to investigate the affairs of governance. So, brace up, I am not going back on it.
“Please, defend us. We know that you are going to defend us because your record is clean. You are a gentleman and peaceful. You are not a noise maker. People like you are endowed, and they have the fear of God.”
Acknowledging the deepening political crisis, Fubara, through his Chief Press Secretary Nelson Chukwudi, conveyed that his government is moving forward with a fully functional House of Assembly and the expertise of Iboroma as Attorney-General.
Fubara remarked, “I am happy that this is happening today to mark the beginning of a new era in our administration.
“When I said that I had a reason for being patient, it is because I know that we are all from one family. And if we have a disagreement, no matter how bad it is, it should be resolved amicably.
“But it has become very clear that this disagreement, there is no way to resolve it amicably. And for a lot of reasons, there are visible evidence that there is sabotage, deliberate attempt to sabotage this administration.
“For that reason, we have to move forward. And, moving forward, if it means taking decisions that are going to hurt anybody, we are not going back.”
He also leveled accusations of sabotage against Prof. Adangor, his former chief law officer, asserting that such actions will not go unrewarded.
“It is good that you were already a SAN before your appointment. This means that you’re a very thorough lawyer and has earned your appointment. Not like the one we had here.
“Instead of you to close your mouth, you go publicly to claim that you are a learned person. But go publicly to tell people that you were the chief law officer.
“Chief law officer? You were here and you went to stand before a magistrate court. At that time, you didn’t remember that you were a chief law officer, going against the ethics of your job. Like I said, you will get your reward, not in the next world, but in this world.”
Fubara concluded by affirming his rightful place as governor, dismissing any suggestions of his ascension being a mistake.
