Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State declared yesterday that nobody or group would stop his government.
Fubara said with strong faith in God and his support base, his administration was equal to the antics of his opponents who, according to him, have no ‘’strong face in Rivers politics.’’
He named former Governors Peter Odili and Celestine Omehia’; erstwhile Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) National Chairman Uche Secondus and former Transport Minister Abiye Sekibo as some of his core supporters.
Others listed by him include former House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Austin Opara; former Deputy Governors Gabriel Toby and Tele Ikuru; Senators John Azuta-Mbata, Lee Maeba, Andrew Uchendu, Adawari Pepple; and Ambassador Orji Ngofa.
The governor spoke Wednesday night at the 2025 New Year State banquet in Government House, Port Harcourt.
But another former House of Representatives Deputy Speaker, Chibudom Nwuche, stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC) from Ekpeye Kingdom declared their support for Federal Capital Territory (FCT Nyesom Wike, whose faceoff with Fubara is at the heart of the ongoing Rivers political turmoil.
Fubara, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Nelson Chukwudi, said with the support of Odili and others who laid the foundation of Rivers politics, his administration would defeat his detractors who rent people to attend ‘’dinner” in the state.
He admitted that last year, his opponents who believe that “they l control life’’ made things unpleasant for his administration and the people of the state.
Fubara said: “We will ensure we protect the integrity of this state at all cost. We won’t allow anybody to take this state for a ride. It doesn’t matter the approach I will use. It’s not going to be a fight.
“We will follow the issues as we did with the case when they (detractors) started begging. Nothing will stop us from achieving the purpose of governance in this state.”
“With strong confidence and faith in God and the people, we are not bothered about what they (opposition) will come with. God will always have a way to save us from them. They are going to come, but we are not worried. We are equal to the task.
“I honestly thank our leaders, from Dr. Peter Odili, Sir Celestine Omehia, Sen John Azuta Mbata, Sir Austin Opara, Prince Uche Secondus, Dr. Abiye Sekibo; to others, for the organic support you are giving to our government.
“A lot of people would not understand what is happening. This is not to say we did not have people who were with us and following us and fighting. But one of the troubles they (detractors) have where they are today is that they do not have any strong face in Rivers politics with them.
“The beginning and the end of politics in this state is Sir Peter Odili. And if he is sitting with us here and with these other persons, who do they have with them?”
“This Dr. Odili is the right face and right image of our state. These are the frontiers of Rivers State politics. Men and women that have distinguished themselves are sitting with us here. People who have contributed in several ways to make Rivers State what it is, not rented people they bring for dinner”.
Fubara said that the events of 2024 were a mixed bag of daunting challenges, but that the year ended with his administration scoring more gains than losses.
He said: “2024 was not an easy year, but it was great for us in the end. About this time last year, we were not in a very pleasant mood, for fear of what might happen, because of the boasting of those who believe they control life.”
On his plans for this year, the governor said: “We will continue to put our trust in God as 2024 has been a wonderful year. We had our losses and our gains. But the most important thing is that our gains surpassed the losses. We can boldly say 2024 was a good year for Rivers State.’’
He added that his administration would ‘’build on the gains of last year,” with the support of the people.
His words: “We will continue to protect the lives of our people and provide the required services in our State. We are not going to lower our guards. Rather, we will raise our bar because, what is speaking for us today is the achievements we are making in the face of obvious distractions.
“Therefore, raising the bar will be our own way of telling the world that no matter what is happening here, we mean well for the state and know what we are doing. It is not going to be easy. I know. God, at times, keeps evil people to live long to continue their evil, not because He does not know what to do but because activities of evil people also keep the righteous people awake.”
Fubara commended the people for their support and solicited for more this year.
He said: “We are not going to do it alone, because we have not made these gains alone. Whatever win we scored today, it is not me alone, but the government and the support received from every one of you. I cannot pay you back for doing what is right for your State. It is our State, and at the end of the day, we are building a better future for those to take over after us. That is my dream for the state.
“ We are doing what we know is right, and doing those things that you can stand anywhere after our administration to defend us that our decisions were right. Nothing will stop us from achieving the purpose of governance in this state.”
The governor noted that it was not about power but about sustaining a system that would be self-preserving.
Fubara said: “I strongly believe that because of our desire to build, not our private supermarkets, or our hotels, but to build a resilient state, there is no way we will not succeed because our interest is not for self, but the collective interest of our people.”
The Secretary to the State Government(SSG), Tammy Danagogo, described last year as a wonderful one.
He commended Fubara for being focused as an emancipator of the state, saying no matter the antics of enemies, their acts to distract the government would continue to fail.
While proposing the toast for the New Year, a member representing Andoni-Opobo/Nkoro Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Awaji-Inombek Abiante, said the governor’s qualities were a testament to the success of his administration.
He urged the “prodigals” to return home to join in the rebuilding of the treasure base of the nation.
At the event were Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu; Speaker of the three-member House of Assembly Victor Oko-Jumbo; retired Justice Mary Odili; Chief Judge of the state, Chibuzor Amadi; President, Customary Court of Appeal, Wilfred Ihemnacho Obuzor; Lee Maeba, Andrew Uchendu and Adawari Pepple.
*We have only one Assembly; says Fubara
Governor Fubara and the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress(APC) yesterday differed on the leadership of the Rivers House of Assembly that the 2025 budget ought to have been presented to.
Fubara, who signed the N1.1 trillion Appropriation Bill yesterday, said the Oko-Jumbo-led three-member Assembly remained the appropriate place, the APC argued that it ought to be forwarded to the Martin Amaewhule-led 27 members of the House.
The bill was signed four days after it was okayed by the three-man Assembly.
Fubara had while appending his signature to the bill, insisted that Amaewhule and 26 other members of the House defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC and had, therefore, seized to be recognised as legislators.
The governor also stated that no governor in the country would accept ‘’the kind of insult I took’’ from the 27 lawmakers.
He said: “I want to say this may be for some persons somewhere who are still mixing up issues. We have only one Assembly and that Assembly is headed by Rt. Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo.
“A group of friends, about nine months ago, embarked on what is called a sea-barred journey, halfway through the vessel while they were coasting realised that they were entering the den of devils and sharks and they now wanted to retreat.
“It is too late and the truth is that we are not going back. We have given them enough room for peace. No governor in Nigeria can take the kind of insult I took from those set of people
“As it stands, our major target is the interest of Rivers State and we will continue to defend the integrity of governance. As far as I am concerned, we have moved on.”
The governor vowed to ensure the full performance of the 2025 budget and thanked everyone who contributed to passing the bill.
But APC chairman Austin Okocha said the presentation of the budget to the Oko-Jumbo group was ‘’illegal, unspeakable and flagrant impunity.’’
He also told reporters that the governor was in a position to end the state’s lingering political crisis which he dubbed a ‘’tragedy.’’
Okocha argued that the governor’s action amounted to an abuse of the rule of law and disregard of court pronouncements on the budget.
He recalled that Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court had in January last year ruled that the budget be presented before the Amaewhule-led 27 members of the House Assembly.
Okocha accused Fubara and ‘his invisible advisers’ of deliberately creating and promoting a political crisis in the state.
He said, “From the days of Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in the state, January 2024, it is clear in the judgment he delivered on the 2024 budget matter of the state, that the budget has to be presented to a Legislative arm under the leadership of Martins Amaewhule.
“The same pronouncements have also been made by the court where they either went to appeal the judgment or Amaewhule group went to seek further explanations, have said over time that the governor presenting a budget to three Legislators is completely unspeakable.
“No court has declared the seats of the 27 lawmakers vacant, so if the declaration of the seats vacant is in your mind, then leave it there, until the court says yes or no.
“You don’t have the right to declare the seats vacant. You are a member of the Executive arm, and not until the court and the law speak on the matter, you cannot on your own decide on a matter that you don’t have the power to do so.”
The APC chairman warned that a worse political situation could erupt in the state if the governor failed to quickly begin a reconciliation process.
“It looks like the hostility in 2025 might be greater than that of 2024, which is the complete negation of what we expect,” Okocha added.
Why I support Wike, by Nwuche
In Ochigba, Ahoada East Local Government Area where former House of Representatives Deputy Speaker, hosted executive members of the PDP and the APC, a crowd of persons from the Ekpeye Kingdom said they were fully in support of Wike in his face-off with Fubara.
Nwuche encouraged members of the parties to remain steadfast in their support for Wike.
He argued that the minister stood out as a governor by leaving lasting legacies in Ekpeye Kingdom.
Nwuche listed over 18 projects brought to Ekpeye land by Wike when served as governor of the state. Some
Some of the projects, according to him, are the Campus of Rivers State University in Ahoada, the Ahoada-Omoku Road, and the Ochigba Road.
He said that Wike also empowered a company in Ahoada, to create jobs for over 1, 000 youths in the region.
His words: “Coming to the governors of this state, I have known all of them, from Ada George up to (Rotimi) Amaechi before Wike, I know them one on one. Let me ask you, sincerely, have there been any developments you can point to in Ekpeye land before Wike’s time?
“ We had other governors here, we had Ada George, we had Peter Odili, Amaechi, point to one development. None of them left any legacy in Ekpeye. No development, no road projects, no water projects and no electrification, nothing.”
He expressed his gratitude to the party members for their efforts in mobilising the community for the end-of-year Thanksgiving and civic reception for Wike.
Nwuche also commended them for their extraordinary courage and steadfastness despite the challenges caused by the ongoing crisis in the state.
“Many of you have shown remarkable dedication and perseverance, staying committed to the party’s ideals despite the difficulties. It’s not easy to keep faith when it seems like the odds are against you, but you have done just that,” he said.
The former deputy speaker praised Wike for his ability to forgive and empower people, citing the example of Senator Magnus Abe, who opposed him (Wike) but has now turned a new leaf.
He added: “I am supporting Wike one hundred percent. Because many of them who were in power as governors used their offices to witch-hunt Rivers sons and daughters. I have borne the brunt of their witchhunt
“ If you are parochial or small-minded, you can’t be a leader. And that is why I like Wike. People who were in APC who opposed Wike have now joined him because he forgives. People like Abe are now with Wike because he forgives, has a large heart and is able to empower people.’’
