The commissioner for Information and Communications in Rivers State, Joseph Johnson has confirmed that
Governor Siminialayi Fubara’s signature on the publicly disclosed resolution document on the Rivers crisis was not forged.
Johnson also stated that the governor signed the peace pact willingly and without any pressure.
The Nation reports that the document of his “peace agreement” with his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, was released after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu and the parties in the political crisis in Rivers state.
Fubara on Monday, December 18, signed an eight-point agreement to facilitate a truce between him and Wike.
President Tinubu chaired the meeting which was attended by Fubara, Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Wike, former Governor Peter Odili, Speaker Martins Amaewhule, chairmen of the state chapters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chukwuemeka and the All Progressives Congress (APC) Caretaker Committee Chairman Tony Okocha, National Security Adviser (NSA) Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, Chairman PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) Senator Adolphus Wabara, among others at the Aso Villa.
While giving an address during the 3rd Convocation and 6th Founders Day ceremonies of the PAMO University of Medical Sciences in Iriebe, Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of the state, on Tuesday, the governor assured he was prepared to pay any price for peace to reign.
In his statement that was greeted with a thunderous applause, Fubara noted: “There is no price that will be too big to pay to ensure that peace prevails.”
Speaking on Channels TV, Johnson explained that his principal would implement the agreement reached because he is a man of his word and committed to the process of peace.
He said: “There is nothing to doubt it. We have gone beyond the issue as to who signed, and who didn’t sign.
“The Bible that we all profess says we should pursue peace with all men at all cost. Mr Governor is a stickler for the rules.
“And if His Excellency, the President has intervened, he (Fubara) is not a man of perfidy. He will not say something and do the other.
“In the next couple of hours, I will be unveiling some of the approvals His Excellency has already given as an indication that he is prepared for peace.”
The commissioner also indicated that the governor’s acceptance of the decisions made during the meeting on Monday did not indicate weakness.
He said: “I was in that meeting and the governor did not negotiate from the place of weakness.
“There was no pressure from anywhere; when people disagree, they come to the round table and settle.
“There is nothing to doubt about it, we have gone beyond the issue as to who signed, and who didn’t sign.”
