Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, on Tuesday, said his administration would collaborate and continue to consult widely in order to liberate the state and foster peace.
The governor said in doing so, he would not operate as a dictator, but as a member of a team that had the best interest of the state at heart.
Fubara’s declaration comes amid a political crisis between him and his estranged political godfather and predecessor, Nyesom Wike.
On Tuesday, one of Wike’s allies, Boniface Emerengwa, visited Fubara and declared his support for him.
Emerengwa is a member of the House of Representatives, representing the Ikwerre/Emohua Federal Constituency of Rivers State.
Emerengwa, who was accompanied to the Government House by three other House of Representatives members, said the Rivers people had made their choice through their votes and gave their mandate to Fubara.
He said having secured electoral victory on March 18, 2023, which had been affirmed by the Supreme Court, Fubara had become the number one citizen in Rivers State, hence his decision to support him.
“Only the blind will not see the giant strides Governor Fubara is already making in various sectors of the state,” the Rep said, insisting that the best way to assist the Rivers people was to support Fubara in every way possible to achieve sustainable peace and accelerate inclusive development of the state.
Meanwhile, Fubara pledged not to rule like a dictorator, while speaking during the formal presentation of Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office to the Amanyanabo (king) of Okochiri Kingdom, Ateke Michael Tom, as a first-class tradition ruler, at Government House in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
The governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.
Fubara stated that during the Sixth State Executive Council meeting, N80.8bn was approved with 50 per cent contract value paid already as the government awarded the construction of the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road.
He said the project would be funded from the savings from Internally Generated Revenue to underscore his Administration’s prudence without also borrowing to complete the project.
Governor Fubara stated, “We are at a crossroads in our state where we all need to stand for what is right. It happens once in a lifetime. So, for now, be one of those people who will be in the cause to liberate and free our dear state.
“And I know strongly that having the support of a peace-loving Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, having the support of the wonderful Council of Chiefs, having the support of the great people of Rivers State, we will bring peace in our state.
“We will do those things that are right to develop our state. We will continue to consult. We will not act as dictators. We will act as people who know that one day, we will leave, and when we leave, the way we have acted will speak for us,” he said.
Fubara added that: “We will not force people to talk good about us. Our legacy will be a signature for how we led.”