Rivers State governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has assured that he will not interfere in the administration of the governor-elect, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, so long as it engenders peace, unity and development of the State.
He said this at the thanksgiving service to mark the end of his administration and the inauguration of the governor-elect at St. Paul’s Cathedral, Diobu, Port Harcourt on Sunday.
The governor, however, urged Fubara to be wary of those who will be hellbent on creating rift between him and elders of the State, who are supposed to guide him as he steers the affairs of Rivers State.
He charged the governor-elect to be firm and decisive in his decision making, particularly, if it is in the overall interest of the generality of the State.
He advised Fubara to be wary of those who for their own selfishness may want to instigate him to shun Rivers’ elders statemen and other stakeholders, whose counsel will help him steer the affairs of the State.
Part of his statement reads,
“We will not disturb you from running your administration, but we will not allow you to make us cry. We want you to succeed more than us, so that when we are passing on the road, we will raise our shoulders and say we told you that he will do better than us.”
“You have to be firm and take decision. Decisions you will take may not be palatable, and it shouldn’t be palatable to everybody. No one decision you will take and everybody will be happy. People will criticise you.”
“You see the way I related with our elders, you see the way we have respected Sir Dr. Peter Odili. The day you run away from them, enemies will catch you. And it is the work of enemies to make sure you don’t succeed.
“You have not been inaugurated, see what they are posting that the governor-elect is quarrelling with the outgoing governor. That is to show you where they are coming from and where they are heading. But I know they will fail. You have been in the system.”