By Ignatius Chukwu
The opposition in Rivers State is certain the LGA election scheduled for October 5, 2025, days ahead, would not hold, or that its outcome would certainly be a nullity.
On the other hand, Gov Sim Fubara sounds optimistic it would hold and hold well. At a church service to mark the independence anniversary, the governor said those contesting the election needed to get prayers.
Gov Fubara emphasised: “As a matter of fact, I am a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), but I know that there will be election that I am conducting. So, I have to invite you to come and receive prayers. And little did I know, the bishop gave you the prayers.
“For those of you that are going to participate in the election, please, I want the election to be peaceful, very important. When you emerge, our major concern is the people. Care for the people. We have taken Rivers State into a different driveway.”
Governor Fubara dispelled any fears lurking in the minds of Rivers people concerning the political crisis that erupted in the State, and assured that the most difficult stage of that experience had been overcome.
He said most of the decisions taken by his administration may not have been popular but added that they were necessary if the State must be protected from the detractors.
Gov Fubara urged everyone to join hands with his administration to tackle the big task of securing the soul of the State, and make it a proud place for all Rivers people.
He added, “And I tell you, with due respect my Dean, when you said our National Anthem was changed, for me, I like this new one, more especially where it says – a nation built, where no man is oppressed – it is so unique.
“And if that is where I stand, you should understand, I can’t be a party to oppressing anybody. And for the fact that I can’t be a party to oppressing anybody, by the special grace of God, nobody can oppress me. Please, we need to join hands together to sustain and develop our State.
“So, don’t be scared of anything, we have gone past the most difficult stage. That is the truth, we have gone past it. A few of our decisions might not be favourable but we have to move on as a family.
“Because at this time, what is important is to protect the soul of this State. It does not belong to anyone. Rivers State is nobody’s enterprise. So, you have to stand strong and fight.”
The governor pointed to one of the greatest challenges facing the State, and indeed Nigeria, which is the issue of oil bunkering and pipeline vandalism that have taken a hard toll on the national economy.
Gov Fubara insisted that such acts of economic sabotage should not be allowed to continue, and urged traditional rulers to ensure they end such acts from happening in their domains.
He insisted on sustaining the process as a government to engage those youths and communities, including the security agencies to ensure the situation is salvaged.
He said, “The security agencies, they are doing their best. As a government, we are also planning to have a special committee to tackle this problem.
“We need to improve the level of our production. That is the only way that we can get out of this situation. The situation is bad. There is no two ways about it. But we must come together as one to support what the centre is doing, so our lives can change.”
Gov Fubara pointed to the fact that: “We must protect our national treasures. The only thing we have now is this oil. Rivers and Bayelsa are the flashpoints, and because of that, it is affecting the level of production, and in turn, affecting the output and the revenue we make.
“Nigeria needs money now, the only way we can save Nigeria from this situation is increased production. Please, I am begging everyone, more especially the leaders of the most impacted local governments: Degema and Emohua. The traditional rulers that are covering these areas, you must do something about it.”
Gov Fubara expressed delight for the opportunity of marking another Nigerian Independence Day Anniversary in office in a few days.
He recalled that about a year ago, he was in church on such day, and had sung a particular song that stated that: ‘from the beginning to the end, there is no place for argument, you are God and God by yourself.’
Gov Fubara said most people did not quiet connect to the spiritual meaning of the song because they had sung it as one of those regular songs sung in church but added that God started working in his favour from then, and had showed Himself mightily.
“So, we want to say that our marking this Independence Day is very special. Special, because we symbolise peace and our prayer for this State is peace. And in extension, because of our peaceful disposition, we strongly believe that things should be done right, and when it is done right, from here Nigeria will get better.
“This celebration today is for a purpose. It coincided with what happened last year. So, I assure you of our support to make all the plans come to reality. We will get there, and we are already there. God does not start and stop half way. He takes you to the end.”
Gov Fubara said he has always stood on the path of truth, and will not need anybody to apologize on his behalf for doing the right things for the good of the State.
He said: As a matter of fact, I belong to that school of thought that if I am the only person that needs to stand on that side of right, I will stand there. I don’t need anybody to stand with me.
“I cannot give my kidney or liver to anybody, I won’t. If that is the only reason for me to be loyal, I will not be. But, I will not do the wrong thing. I will stand for the side of right.
“I make bold to say it, there is no security agency in this State that I have called any day to go and do something wrong. I have never. I don’t need for it. But I know what they do, and they keep failing because God has left them.”
Preaching at the service on the topic: “Navigating the odds in our nation, Nigeria”, the Archbishop of Niger Delta Province, Most Reverend Blessing Enyindah bemoaned Nigeria at its 64th Independence anniversary, saying it seemed like a country under siege wherein its citizens are held up as captives with no hope brighter than noonday to expect.
Archbishop Enyindah, who is also the Bishop, Diocese of Ikwerre, and Dean of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, blamed leaders across sectors, particularly political leaders for the nation’s woes because, according to him, instead of liberating the people from social, economical and political imprisonment, they accentuate poverty, economic hardship and soaring prices of goods.
The clergy man said if political leaders stop enacting irrelevant policies that exercipate chaos, resist the temptation of perpetuating themselves in office, and judicial officers breaking away from issuing conflicting judgments that promote miscarriage of justice, a new culture where everybody does what is right will emerge, and Nigeria will truly become the country it should be.
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