Fubara swears in new judges, says Rivers witnessing rebirth amid political crisis

Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers, says the state is witnessing a rebirth amid the political crisis.

In a statement on Friday, Nelson Chukwudi, the governor’s spokesperson, said Fubara spoke at the swearing-in ceremony of eight newly appointed judges at the executive chamber of the government house in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

“I want to thank everyone of you, more especially our judges. You’ve been very strong even in the face of this crisis that we find ourselves in,” the governor said.

“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 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.”

‘UPHOLD JUSTICE AND EQUITY’

Fubara urged the new judges to uphold justice and reject undue influence by protecting the oppressed and maintaining impartiality.

The governor said his administration’s promising start was marred by surprise attempts to destabilise it midway through his term.

He said God’s kindness has brought a fresh opportunity that would restore stability, rekindle public optimism, and establish widely accepted leadership.

“We are here today to consummate that process, so that there will be more judicial officers that will help to drive the process of our judiciary in the state,” he said.

“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.

“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’.

“Do what is right; defend the course that you stand for—justice and equity.

“I also know that you are not going to disappoint the judiciary, because if you do that, you are disappointing and failing those very poor voiceless people who believe that the only way they can truly correct the wrong is through the judiciary. So, I appeal to you to stand on the side of right.

The new high court judges include Frank Onyiri, Victor Chinedum Ugoji, Godswill Vidal Obomanu, Rita Chituru Oguguo, Alatuwo Elkanah Fubara, and Bariyima. Sylvester Kokpan, Lesi Wifa-Adedipe, and Ibietela Innocent Madighi Obu.