God has stopped those behind Rivers political crisis, says Fubara

Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has said God is the reason Rivers State triumphed over the political crisis experienced in the state, stressing that He also stopped those behind it.

Fubara spoke at the Christmas Ballad hosted by former governor of Rivers State, Dr Peter Odili, at his residence in Old GRA, Port Harcourt.

Fubara also insisted that God was in control of the affairs of the state, adding that as they looked forward to a prosperous 2025, they should be assured that it would be better than what had been experienced.

He assured that his administration would make every succeeding year in the state better, noting that the excitement experienced among Rivers people during the Christmas celebrations was indicative of the brighter future ahead.

The governor, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, stated that although he was politically antagonised, God gave him a new perspective to leadership.

The statement, which quoted the governor, said: “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 everyone that is here. You gave me 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. 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 for your support.”

Meanwhile, the statement also said Odili, in his welcome address, revealed that he, his wife and children, decided to host Fubara and his family in appreciation of the fortitude and sterling leadership qualities he has demonstrated.

The statement said: “Dr Odili explained that it is now over 12 months, since October 25, 2023, when a fierce existential fight, though unnecessary, was waged against Governor Fubara over the soul of Rivers State. He said that with assuring fortitude, 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 until he left office in 2007.”

In a related development, Fubara also urged governors of South-South states to synergise to enable them drive sustainable development in the region.

Chukwudi, who revealed this in a statement, noted that Fubara said this when he received Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, who led a delegation to Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.

Chukwudi stated: “He (Fubara) pointed to the danger of a lack of collaboration and mutual relationship between the sister states in the region, which manifested more in the difficulty experienced in having an enduring and meaningful development in the region.

“Fubara acknowledged that more Bayelsans live in Rivers, even if they work in Bayelsa, which underscores the need for a broad-based approach to issues of security, connectivity and other areas that can make living, business pursuit and commutation easier.”

Quoting Fubara, the statement added: “In fact, one of the assignments I will want His Excellency, the Governor of Bayelsa to carry on with is strengthening the BRACED Commission.

“The BRACED Commission has the interest of our zone. So, we can’t talk about development, solving crime issues in Rivers State; because if you solve only that of Rivers State, those criminals might run to Akwa Ibom State and in the night, they will come back and commit criminal acts.

“So, it must be something that, while we are doing something here, that same synergy must be in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Bayelsa, Delta and Edo states. That is the only way we can get solutions to our problems. I think you have to really take up this assignment, and see what we can record before we leave; because the only thing that can speak for us is those things we have added that will bring changes in the lives of our people.”

Quoting Diri, the statement said: “I like to also put on record that since you came on board, between our two states, it has been very peaceful. Between our two states, we have had a whole lot of understanding, even in areas where we had some previous disagreements. And for me, that is very instructive, and I like to make particular reference to the Soku oil wells that generated a whole lot of heat between our two states.

“For now, between us, we have agreed that let us go back to the status quo before whatever happened. So, we have both directed our Attorneys General to take charge of that, and they have already done the needful. So, there is relative peace between Bayelsa and Rivers states concerning the Soku oil wells.”

Reacting to Odili’s statement, Lere Olayinka, senior special assistant on Public Communications and New Media to Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, said in the coming days, Odili would get a deserved response from Wike.

His words: “I read the comments made by the former Governor of Rivers State, Peter Odili, on Wike, today, and I cannot but be disappointed that someone who should be acting like an elder statesman can reduce himself to such ridiculous level of partisanship. Well, he will get his deserved response from the FCT Minister in due course.”