Fubara: I’ll not govern Rivers on my knees

Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers, says he will not govern the state from a position of subservience or weakness. 

Fubara made the remarks on Saturday, during a condolence visit to the Ubima, Ikwerre LGA country home of Celestine Omehia, a former governor of the state.

Omehia was laying Cecilia Omehia, his mother, to rest.

“I have come here with very few respected elders of the state, to come and support you and say to you that we sorrow with you,” Fubara said.

“The most important thing is to show our concern and love. Any human being who 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.”

He said politics of bitterness will impede the development of the state and that “it is only in unity that we can move our state forward”.

“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 interests of our dear Rivers state,” he added.

“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.

“I will not, I repeat, I will not govern our dear state on my knees. If that was the purpose, I will not do that.”

Fubara has been locked in a battle for the control of the political structure of Rivers with Nyesom Wike, his predecessor and minister of the federal capital territory (FCT).

The governor recently redeployed some members of his cabinet who are loyal to Wike.