Fubara set to unleash most dreaded weapon, probe
Danger might have been averted in Port Harcourt, the troubled Rivers State capital when over 69,000 youths who were set to forment trouble at the Rivers State House of Assembly, were stopped last minute.
This as Governor Sim Fubara was reportedly set to unleash what many feared would be the fiercest arow in his arsenal to aggravate political crisis in the State, a crisis that was caused as a result of misunderstanding between him and his erstwhile godfather, Nyesom Wike.
Governor Fubara has indicated intention to set up a probe panel, saying he would not go back on the decision.
He had also sworn in a new Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Dagogo Israel Iboroma (SAN), who was screened by the three-man House of Assembly.
The Oko Jumbo-led House who thanked the governor for providing alternative sitting venue, confirmed Iboroma a commissioner to serve in the State Executive Council.
The commissioner-nominee had been led to the floor of the House by the Sergeant-at-Arms, David Wariboko.
Iboroma, standing before the House, fielded questions, and assured that his allegiance shall be to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Rivers State Governor and the State, while upholding his oath of office and contributing his professional expertise.
Threats of probe:
Swearing Iboroma in, Gov Fubara hinted of plans to set up a judicial panel of inquiry soon to investigate how the affairs of governance were conducted in the State before he assumed office.
Many had feared that the disagreement between the two could get out of hand and one may probe the other.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had hunted Fubara when he was Accountant-General of the State to explain why N115 billion was withdrawn across the counter.
The EFCC had left Wike the then governor alone because of immunity protection. Now, Fubara wears immunity but Wike does not any more.
So, revelations from inside may arouse the interest of the anti-graft agencies.
Many have also pointed at many properties believed to belong to the Government but which seem to be in private ownership now.
Others say most contracts were awarded over the counter in huge amounts. For this, they said, it might not be a good time for a probe panel because of cans of worms that might be opened.
The governor told the new Attorney General that bravery and courage were needed at this time.
He took swipes at the former Attorney-General and said this new one would not be the type that was sabotaging Government and siding with those filing cases against the Government by entering nolle prose qui.
“Please defend us, but we know you will because our hands are clean”, the governor said to the Attorney-General nominee.
Saying God did not make any mistake in making him governor, he said he thought the political crisis would fizzle out because they all were one political family but since it was not so, he had to move on (understood to mean fight on).
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”, he noted.
