Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his commitment to safeguarding the state’s interests, declaring his readiness to make the “supreme sacrifice” in the wake of the Supreme Court’s judgment.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Government House Staff Quarters on Monday, Governor Fubara emphasized that it was time for Rivers State to take control of its future.
He urged the state’s youth, who support his administration, to remain resolute and await further directives from the government.
Rejecting violence, Fubara assured the public that his administration would make necessary decisions at the appropriate time. He also made it clear that he had no fear of the consequences, asserting that, at worst, he could only be removed from office.
The governor said: “People should know that because no matter how we have been fooled in this State, it has gotten to a point where this State have decided to take their destiny by their hands.
“In as much as I don’t subscribe to violence when the time comes for us to take a decision, I will lead the cause for that decision. Let me say it again: I am not scared of anything. The worst that will happen is for me to leave the office, not that I am leaving the earth.
“Is it going to stop me from existing? So I am not bothered about that, but the right thing must be done and said when the opportunity is given to us.
“Let me thank everyone, especially our youths, be strong, please don’t be perturbed. I assure you that at the right time you will get the instructions”.
The governor lamented that each time his administration tried to stabilize, a spanner would be thrown in its wheel of progress, forcing it to start from the beginning.
Addressing the leaders backing his government, he said: “Our leaders, I do not have anything to give to you, we have not given you anything right from the time we started. We have been running a system where every time we try to stabilize, one spanner is thrown our way.
“So, for that reason, it is like bringing us to ground zero, and we start afresh. But I will continue to thank you for supporting us without getting anything. Supporting us because you believe that it is the right thing to do for Rivers State. Let anybody not be deceived, there are faces today that will carry the symbol of some persons, and it will be a curse in this State.”
Fubara urged the people to remain strong and fight gallantly to the end, saying it was not about who would win but about standing for the right cause.
He said: “I want you to be in your highest spirit. It is not about who wins, it is about the glory and the honour of fighting gallantly. Being on the side of truth, not on the side of lies, because of cheap favour.
“I want to assure all our supporters that I know that the news that broke out on Friday must have dampened your spirit. Brace up; what is ahead is more than what has just passed.
“As humans, I know you feel somehow, but just relax. God has our back; we are not resting on anybody but God only. I want to thank you for your support and assure you that if there is one person on the planet earth that will continue to stand by you, I will be that person.
“I assure you that I will lead you with honour, respect and integrity, knowing that when I leave here, I will have questions to answer if I am called upon years from today. I want to be proud to defend my position.”
Fubara said that, contrary to the lies that there was no governance in the state, there “is legitimate and purpose-driven governance in Rivers State”.
He said his government was genuine and was not driven by selfish interest, adding that his government would continue to do the right things in the state.
He recalled that the staff quarters were in a dilapidated state and completely unhabitable when his government came on board, but he decided to add value in line with the mantra of his government.
He said: “We decided that our staff members can’t be living in uncomfortable places while I live in comfort. Will I get efficiency from my workers if they are not happy and the government decided to embark on this project? And I am happy that the contractor delivered it within the time limit.
“So, let me thank the contractor. The contractor has been doing a lot of jobs for us, and they have been doing it diligently with so much commitment, knowing that we have a lot of people there trying to keep records of our activities, not on the good side but on the bad side.
“So, we need to be proving them wrong, showing them that we are a government of transparency, a government that is not hiding anything. It is in the future that everybody here will know that it was a challenge to the previous administration, but we did it with ease because we don’t have anything to hide.
“We are not after our stomach, we are after the joy of our people, that at the end of the day, what will count for us is the lives we have touched genuinely, the legacy we leave that will speak for us that can open doors for our children, our generations yet unborn.
“Having that in mind spurs us and forces me as a person to stand on the side of right, to do good and stand on the side that even if I am called up tomorrow, I should be bold to defend my actions. I am happy that we conceived this project, executed it, and by the grace of God, we are dedicating it today to the glory of God.”
The governor commended leaders and food people of the state for their support and told them that his administration had lined up a list of projects for inauguration before the Friday judgment.
“We are not going back on it. We must complete what we have already planned, and we will add if need be to what we have already decided to do for our people. Let it be on record that the interest of Rivers State remains my priority, and it is above every other thing, even if it means to pay the supreme sacrifice for it, I will not hesitate to do it”, he said.
Quoting from the Bible’s book of Philippians 3:18-19, Fubara said: “For as I have often told you before and now I tell you again, even with tears many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is in their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things only.”
He added: “I want to say here today, and to assure everyone that has stood with us that our strength is not on earthly things, our strength is in the supreme being, that even when we fail here, assuming as being contemplated, our victory is assured
