Governor of Rivers state, Siminalayi Fubara, has commended leaders and well-meaning citizens of the state for standing on the right side of history despite the pressures to surrender to tyranny and oppression
The governor spoke at a Christmas ballad organised in his honour by Dr. Peter Odili, a former governor of the state and his family in Porthacourt, the state capital.
He said, “God has proved Himself worthy as the ultimate liberator of the state and its people because He ensured total triumph over the political crisis and those behind it.”
Rivers state was embroiled in a political crisis following the struggle between Fabura and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), for the control of political structures in the state.
Fabura said that while the political antagonism lasted, God gave him a new perspective to leadership.
He said, with the massive support by the Rivers people, he did not see the crisis as a problem but a necessary enabler in governance.
“I get stronger in this course every day when I look at the support I am getting from the true Rivers people.
“So, it is not me being strong. My strength is drawn from every one of you that is here. You gave me the encouragement; you do the work for me; you make the calls for me. So, why won’t I stand up for you.
“But we also believe strongly that the ultimate game changer, the ultimate liberator, and the ultimate fighter still remains God Almighty. And because we have Him on our side, victory is assured,” the governor said.
He added that God is in control of the affairs of the state, stressing that the Rivers people look forward to a very prosperous 2025.
He assured that 2025 would be better than what had been experienced.
He said his administration is determined to make every succeeding year in the state better with remarkable records of progress.
Fubara said the excitement experienced among Rivers people during the Christmas celebrations is indicative of a brighter future ahead and vowed to continue to do what is right.
Fabura said, “I want to thank everyone, and I assure you that we will continue to run a government that will uplift the image of the state. We will not be tyrants.
“We will remember that what we are doing here today is a shift job, and that one day, our time will be up, and we’ll leave for another person to take over.
“And what is important is to allow the machine to keep running effectively so that when the other person comes, he continues with that steam for progress in the state.
“So, I thank everyone of you for your support,” Fubara added.
Speaking earlier, Odili praised Siminalayi for resisting attempts by Wike to turn the state into his personal estate.
The former governor said Fabura summoned an unusual courage to “confront the quest by Wike to capture Rivers state through ferocious but unnecessary political war.”
Odili explained that his family decided to host the governor and his family to a night of varieties of song and other activities in appreciation of “the fortitude and sterling leadership qualities he has demonstrated”.
He noted that it is now over 12 months, since the 25th of October 2023, when an unnecessary and fierce existential fight was waged against Fubara over the soul of Rivers State.
“With assuring courage, Governor Fubara confronted the challenge, prevented the quest by one man to capture the state as a private estate, emancipated Rivers people, steadied governance and made civil servants and Rivers people happier as it used to be I left office in 2007”, Odili said.
Also speaking at the event, the Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Victor Oko-Jumbo recalled how the crisis that erupted in the Assembly swept them off their feet
He said the encouragement from the governor emboldened him and a few others to stand up for the truth to liberate the state.
Similarly, in a speech, Chief Judge of Rivers State, Simeon Amadi, said he least expected to have remained a chief judge, just as he didn’t expect the Governor to last in office up given the political crisis.
He noted that God has turned the crisis as a liberation fight and assured that he will continue to be on the right side in defence of the state.
On his own, Dr. Abiye Sekibo, a former transport minister, noted that the gathering was a roll call of the political family of Dr. Peter Odili.
He said Fubara had sufficiently blended traits of Odili’s leadership style with his and steered the course of governance successfully, making the people of State proud of him as a worthy son.
