Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has warned that any permanent secretary found to have participated in illegal activities or supported improper procedures during the six-month emergency rule will face legal consequences.
Speaking during a media coverage by Symfoni TV, Governor Fubara issued a stern message to civil servants who may have enabled wrongdoing during the emergency rule crisis. “For every one of you here who was involved in illegality—when I say illegality, I’m not talking about the issue of the emergency rule situation—but not guiding them to do what is right, supporting those things that are not the standard of civil service—your punishment will come. Just be prepared,” he stated.
The governor clarified that while he understood the difficult circumstances that created certain situations, he would not overlook deliberate wrongdoing or corrupt practices. “I’m not interested in whatever was done. It wasn’t our fault. It was the situation that warranted it. But those things that were not done rightly, those ones that didn’t follow the proper process, and that you were involved in corrupt practices. I’m sorry for you; the records will be there, and at the right time, I’ll be bringing them up one after the other,” Fubara said.
The Rivers State governor also emphasised his leadership approach, stating that he has never asked anyone—whether commissioners or other officials—to please him personally.
He argued that his administration maintains strict standards for proper conduct so that history will judge his tenure fairly based on adherence to established rules and procedures.
