Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has asserted that he is unshaken by the ongoing political crisis in the state, stating that the worst possible outcome would be his removal from office—an event he is prepared to face.
Fubara made this declaration on Monday during the inauguration of residential quarters for Government House staff in Port Harcourt, the state capital. He lamented the persistent obstacles hindering his administration’s efforts to achieve stability, emphasizing that each time progress is made, setbacks follow.
Despite these challenges, the governor expressed gratitude to the people of Rivers State for their unwavering support amid the political turmoil.
“No matter how much we have been deceived in this state, we have now reached a point where the people have decided to take their destiny into their own hands.
“Inasmuch as I do not support violence, when the time comes to make a decision, I will lead the charge.
“I’m not scared of anything; the worst that can happen is for me to leave office. Am I leaving the earth? Will it stop me from existing? I’m not bothered about that. The right thing must be done and said when the opportunity is given to us,” Fubara said.
For over two years, Rivers State has been embroiled in a political crisis stemming from a deep-seated rift between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who now serves as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The feud has led to a divided state legislature, with the Rivers State House of Assembly split into two factions.
In a significant legal development last Friday, the Supreme Court upheld a Federal High Court ruling barring the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Accountant-General of the Federation from releasing statutory monthly allocations to Rivers State. The court further ordered the Martins Amaewhule-led faction of the House of Assembly and other elected lawmakers to resume legislative duties immediately.
Additionally, the apex court nullified the local government elections held in Rivers State on October 5, 2024, declaring them invalid. The ruling is widely interpreted as a political advantage for the Wike-led faction in the escalating crisis.
As the power struggle continues, all eyes remain on the next political maneuvers in Rivers State.
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