28th April, 2024
By Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt
Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has continued to blow hot and send powerful messages to his erstwhile political godfather and immediate past governor of the state, Nyesom Wike, over the crisis in Rivers.
According to Fubara, there is a fierce fight over the soul of the State to destroy it but the “well-meaning persons” who are standing with him can wield the force of unity to save it.
The Governor emphasised: “I will not, I repeat, I will not govern our dear State on my knees. If that was the purpose, I would not do that. I will stand to govern our dear State and stand continually on the side of right.
“But politics of bitterness will not take us anywhere. So, I want to thank you that, at this stage, we have a few of you who understand that Rivers State belongs to every one of us. We must, therefore, fight together to sustain the soul of this State.”
His remark is contained in a press statement issued by Nelson Chukwudi the Chief Press Secretary CPS to the Governor in the country home of Sir Celestine Omehia in Ubima community, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State on Saturday.
The Governor, accompanied by some elders of the State, was in Ubima to commiserate with Sir Omehia, who had just laid to rest his late mother, Mrs Ezinne Cecilia Omehia, who died at age 95 years.
Governor Fubara said the visit was to demonstrate love and show support to Sir Omehia who, as a son, had satisfactorily performed the duty of giving his mother a befitting burial.
He said, “I have come here with a few of us; very respected elders of the State, to come and support you and say to you that ‘we sorrow with you’.
“The most important thing is to show our concern and love. Any human being that shows enmity to death, that person is not even normal.
“We also rejoice with you for a life lived well to fulfilment by Mama. We wish Mama a safe journey. Let her stay well where she has gone.”
Governor Fubara told the elders of the need for every true lover of the State to synergise and be resolute in the fight to safeguard the soul of Rivers State.
The Governor decried the evil of politics of bitterness and the telling danger it has on the progress of the State, which according to him, should be discouraged as a bad political culture in contemporary times.
Governor Fubara said: “Anybody who claims to love this State should not be party to anything, directly or indirectly, that will bring us backwards. We will continue to support every course that will advance the interest of our dear Rivers State.
“And I am happy to say, and I’ve said it over and again, it doesn’t matter the number of people that are standing with me, I will stand on that side of truth.”