Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has called on the people of the state not to panic, assuring them of his administration to protect lives and property of residents.
The governor vowed to do everything legally to improve and protect the collective aspirations of the people, saying he deserved to serve out his tenure.
Fubara said this, on Wednesday, while addressing members of the Family Support Group, who were on a solidarity visit to the Government House in Port Harcourt.
The solidarity comes amid the ongoing political crisis between Fubara and his estranged political godfather and predecessor, Nyesom Wike.
Fubara survived an impeachment plot by pro-Wike lawmakers last October.
The Family Support Group, which is an assemblage of Rivers youths, women and men drawn from the three senatorial districts and 23 local government areas, on Wednesday, declared their support for the governor.
This was according to a statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi.
According to the statement, the group was received on Fubara’s behalf by the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr. George Nwaeke.
The governor said, “The whole land of Rivers State stands in affirmation that we won the election fairly, and deserve to serve out our full tenure. There is not going to be anything that will cut short the popular mandate that you all gave to this administration.”
Nwaeke said he recalled that just within weeks of assuming office, Fubara flagged off the Port Harcourt Ring Road project “that will transverse six local governments.”
He said though the project was meant to be within 36 months, the delivery day might even be shorter “because the progress of work we have seen is beyond what we were thinking.”
“The Trans-Kalabari Kalabari Road, very soon, the official main Trans-Kalabari Road will start and will begin from Port Harcourt. That road, a lot of plans have been done, very soon, you will see contractors on site, and Rivers State will be opened.
“Just yesterday, you heard in the news also that the governor has commenced the construction of the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road. That road was initially done with one lane, but now, he is going to dualise it. The government has already awarded the contract,” he added.
Nwaeke urged the people of Rivers State to continue to defend Fubara.
“I, therefore, want to thank you for the promise you have made, and I want you to remain unshakable. Keep your word of defending him at all times.
“When you hear anything outside, be bold, defend the governor, and tell the people the things you know about him. Tell them what you know he has done to develop the state and the people,” he added.
Fubara is embroiled in a political crisis with his estranged political godfather and predecessor, Nyesom Wike. He survived an impeachment move last October.
In his address, the President General of Family Support Group, Mr Henry Abraham, recalled that during the 2023 elections, they were encouraged to vote and defend their votes because the process was violence-free and credible.
Abraham said, “When we defend our votes, we will also defend the man we voted for. We are a Family Support Group, Rivers State belongs to all of us. Rivers State is not a personal estate of one man, it’s for all Rivers people.
“Sir Siminalayi Fubara, stand firm. The Family Support Group is with you. All the wards’ coordinators are with you. All the wards’ executives are with you. All the LGA coordinators are with you. All the officers of the National Executive Committee are with you. All our leaders are with you, and the PDP is with you.”