Rivers: Fubara vows stronger comeback, urges peace
The suspended governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has assured residents that the ongoing political crisis in the state will ultimately strengthen the people rather than weaken them.
While encouraging his supporters to remain steadfast, Fubara expressed the optimism that “we will emerge stronger.”
According to a statement on Monday by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, the suspended governor spoke when he received Muslim leaders from 20 Islamic-based groups, including the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, who paid him a Sallah visit at his private residence in Port Harcourt.
Addressing the delegation, Fubara urged them and his supporters to trust in God’s process, saying, “This season is one of love, sharing, and sacrifice. You have come to share in our pain and have made a tremendous sacrifice through your prayers.
“As Christians, we believe that everything happens for a purpose, and I strongly believe that this situation is leading us toward a greater purpose.”
He acknowledged that the current political crisis in the state might leave many feeling depressed, but he emphasised that supernatural forces may be at play beyond human understanding.
Fubara reaffirmed his commitment to justice and equality, stressing that his administration envisioned a society where no one is oppressed.
He stated, “We believe in egalitarianism, and if our beliefs bring us some pain, so be it. The most important thing is that we stand on the side of truth and righteousness.”
The suspended governor regretted that he was unable to formally reach out to the Muslim Ummah during their celebrations but promised that the relationship between religious groups and the government would be strengthened once the current uncertainties are resolved.
He also assured the leaders that their pending requests would be addressed after the political crisis ended.
Urging patience and perseverance, Fubara drew an analogy from religious history, saying, “If God could be patient with Noah to allow even the snail to enter the Ark, then patience remains an essential virtue in our struggle.”
He, however, urged his supporters not to play into the hands of those who want to engineer violence in the state by fanning provocative acts.
“Their goal is to create problems and deny people their means of livelihood. We will not allow that. We will continue to operate peacefully and respect constituted authority to ensure that our state remains a model for others in Nigeria,” he stressed.
Speaking earlier on behalf of the Muslim Ummah, Alhaji Nasir Awhelebe Uhor declared their solidarity for the suspended governor, assuring him of their prayers and support as he navigates the state’s current political challenges.
Uhor stated that the majority of Muslims in Rivers State stood with Governor Fubara due to his inclusive approach to governance and his recognition of the Islamic faith.
According to the Muslim leader, unlike the previous administration that declared Rivers a hundred per cent Christian state, Fubara, upon assuming office, acknowledged the state as a Christian-majority while allowing room for inclusiveness.
Encouraging the governor to remain steadfast, Uhor reminded him of the Islamic belief that Allah rewards patience.
He said the present challenges aligned with the teachings of Islam, where the Creator tests His people through wealth, power, and authority.
However, the Muslim leader called on President Bola Tinubu to review the emergency rule in Rivers State and restore Governor Fubara’s full authority, emphasising that he had been performing effectively despite the crisis.
During the visit, prayers were offered for Fubara, his family, Rivers State, and Nigeria as a whole.
Meanwhile, the Transition Monitoring Group and civil society organisations in Rivers State said they have concluded arrangements to drag the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd,) to court over what they term the unlawful spending of the state’s funds.
The two groups also called on the Sole Administrator to immediately discontinue spending the state’s funds without an approved budget.
The TMG and the CSO disclosed their findings at a joint news briefing in Port Harcourt on Monday, insisting that Ibas had no legal backing to tamper with the state’s funds.
Speaking on their behalf, the Coordinator of TMG in Rivers State, Nathaniel Akporuvweku, called for immediate action against the constitutional breach in the declaration of a state of emergency in the oil-rich state.
“Since the declaration of the state of emergency, there has been widespread condemnation from Nigerians across various sectors, including civil society groups, institutions, and the Nigerian Bar Association.
“In light of these developments, the appointment of Vice Admiral lbok Ete lbas (retd.) as the sole administrator of Rivers State raises further concerns.
“We urge the Sole Administrator to adopt a neutral and apolitical approach in performing his duties to avoid exacerbating tensions and undermining the peace process in both Rivers State and the broader federation.”
Akporuvweku argued that the Sole Administrator does not have any constitutional backing to spend any money from the state fund, pointing out that the body would have no option but to seek redress in court over his illegal actions.
“We condemned the unauthorised spending of Rivers money. We are asserting that the sole administrator cannot continue to spend Rivers money without authorisation.
“Approaching the court is a legal mechanism when issues like this happen. It is part of it. We can go to court to stop him from this part of his taking that is against the constitution. That is a remedy,” he said.
Furthermore, an activist and leader of the “Conscience of the Ogoni People’, Gani Topba, has threatened a defamation suit against the immediate past Head of the Rivers State Head of Service, Dr George Nweke, over the allegations against Governor Fubara.
Nweke had addressed a press conference last Friday, alleging that the suspended governor ordered the bombing of the State House of Assembly in 2023.
But Topba, on Monday, described the allegation as false, demanding an apology from Nweke within seven days or be ready to face a defamation suit.
The activist, who spoke to newsmen in Port Harcourt on Monday, said, “I will drag the former Head of Service to court on this issue because he cannot malign the image of my governor, and I will not allow it to go like that.
“I will sue him for defamation of character because I’m very sure that the governor has nothing to do with cultism. I plan to file a lawsuit against him, and I am using this platform to offer him a seven-day window to apologise to both the governor and the Nigerian public for his false accusations against him.
He described the suspended governor as a peaceful man who has nothing to do with cultism or militancy as alleged by Nweke, even as he challenged Nweke to an open debate.
Meanwhile, host communities of the Trans Niger Pipeline from three states and stakeholders have commended Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited, the surveillance company responsible for securing the TNP for its services since the firm was contracted by the Federal Government.
The host communities are from the Rivers, Imo, and Abia states.
The stakeholders noted that since the takeover of pipeline protection by PINL, the TNP trunk line has witnessed improved production, running into billions of dollars for the country.
They also said the line has recorded zero infractions except in recent weeks following the impeachment move against Fubara by the Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting, the Community Relations Consultant of PINL, Dr Akpos Mezeh, said the engagement was for the host communities and the company to review how they had fared on the security of the pipeline and seek ways of improvement.
He commended the communities for the harmonious relationship enjoyed since the company started operations.
“The communities are critical stakeholders in our business. We all know that pipeline surveillance is intelligence driven, and how do we get reliable intelligence?
“It’s from the communities, and so far, the support of the communities has been wonderful, and we think that there is no better way to appreciate the effort than to organise a forum like this, where we can collectively review how far we have gone,” he stated.
The Paramount Ruler of Eleme Kingdom in Rivers State, Dr. Philip Obele, noted that beyond pipeline surveillance, carrying out corporate social responsibility programs, and creating employment through PINL, there was a need for the communities to get fair treatment from the Federal Government.
The monarch lamented that most oil companies operating in the areas did not engage their youths, which most times led to pipeline vandalism and illegal oil-bunkering.
“What the PINL is doing today is commendable. But beyond the surveillance job, you must consider permanent employment for the people, especially the youth.
“Again in the area of CSR, the communities deserve more than what they are getting from the federal government.
“We deserve increased opportunities, provision of social amenities and skills to better the lives of the host communities,” he said.
The President of the Movement For the Survival of Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta, Kennedy West, said PINL had saved the country billions of dollars through its surveillance activities.
He, however, called on Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited to speak about its plans for host communities in the region.
The Paramount Ruler of Tai Kingdom, King Samuel Nnee, also commended PINL for the engagement and noted that his domain had recorded zero infractions in the pipelines because of continuous engagement with youths.
He, however, said there was a need for more local involvement in oil exploration.
“I would like to mention that Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited has done well regarding pipeline surveillance and protection.
“But the time has come when locals should control the oils in their communities, and that is the position of the Ogoni people.
“We are requesting the federal government to grant us permission to operate it, allowing us to exploit the oil resources and provide benefits to our people,” he stated.
Chief Patricia Ogbonaya praised the company for allowing host communities to express their views as she advised that the company should look into suggestions from the forum.