Victor Ezeja
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has said that no matter the level of political crisis in the state, he will not throw caution into the wind.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelFubara said despite what is happening in the state, he will continue to exercise restraint in all his actions.
The Rivers governor stated this when he received stakeholders from Ikwerre Ethnic Nationality, who paid him a courtesy call at Government House in Port Harcourt on Monday.
The stakeholders included the leadership of Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation Worldwide, the Supreme Council of Ikwerre Traditional Rulers, Ikwerre women, opinion and youth leaders. They embarked on the visit to express solidarity for the current administration in Rivers State.
This was contained in a press statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Nelson Chukwudi.
The governor was apparently referring to the feud between him and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike that is the root cause of the lingering political crisis in the state.
He said: “I want to assure you that not minding what is happening, I will not throw caution to the wind. I will continue to appreciate the support you people gave and continue to give to me through one of your sons.
“It doesn’t matter whether the person accepts it or not. I will continue to appreciate it. That one alone is what makes me restrain my actions when it gets to that point when I need to act.”
The governor said due to his upbringing and people he had served, he has a culture of respect for people no matter their age and status and such disposition has made him not contemplate throwing caution into the wind despite the level of provocation.
Responding to his critics, Fubara said he is not an ungrateful person as he acknowledges and appreciates those who have helped him in one way or the other to get to where he is today.
He insisted that if he were ungrateful, with bad character as portrayed in some quarters, it would have been difficult for him to hide it for too long from people.
“I want to also say this: Fubara is not an ungrateful person. If I were a bad person, you (one) can’t hide a character that is bad,” Fubara stated.
He expressed gratitude to the Ikwerre stakeholders for coming to demonstrate their support for his administration.
“What kind of support again do I need, when their fathers are here with me to say look, we support you? It is the greatest blessing that any son can get. So, let me thank all the royal fathers, and opinion leaders of Ikwerre Worldwide for this support.”
The governor gave his word that his administration would carry out further development projects in the four local government areas in Ikwerre land.
The Rivers governor assured his government will not leave anyone or group in the state behind.
“I will not by any means, directly or indirectly, oppress anybody. I want to leave this office and be a peaceful man, walking the streets without security. That is the greatest achievement of a good leader,” he added.
On his part, President General of Ogbakor Ikwerre Worldwide, Eze Godspower Onuekwa, assured the governor that they would continue to work with him to ensure that there is peace and stability in the state.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
