Wike-Fubara crisis: I’m prepared to step down for peace in Rivers, governor says in volte face

In what seems like an about-face, the governor of Rivers State, Mr. Siminalaye Fubara, has declared that he is prepared to step down in order to allow peace to return to the politically troubled state.

The governor gave the indication while speaking on AIT on Thursday.

Persecondnews reports that the embattled governor’s statement belies his earlier tough stance as “an ijaw man.”

Following the political crisis between the two, his fans and supporters released the song “Dey your dey,” which makes a passing reference to the FCT minister.

He claimed that despite President Tinubu’s intervention, the conflict between him and Nyesom Wike, his estranged godfather and predecessor, who is the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), had continued unabated.

“No sacrifice will be too big for me to pay for the success of this administration.

“The reason is very simple: it is not political love. It is not because I want to gain any favour from anybody. My interest and love for our dear state are genuine,” Persecondnews quotes Fubara as saying.

Fubara said his concern was for the millions of Rivers people who had made sacrifices and whose hopes should not be dashed.

He stressed that he was willing to resign if that would bring peace and stability to the state.

Persecondnews recalls that on January 1, 2024, Fubara had vowed not to cede his powers as Governor of Rivers State to his predecessor, Wike, and others fighting his administration.

The governor made the bold declaration at the crossover church service at St. Paul’s Archdeaconry Parish in Opobo Town on 2024 New Year’s Eve in Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area.

Fubara stated that he is not pretentious about his commitment to providing quality leadership, even though those fighting his administration want to dampen the spirit of the Rivers people and forcefully truncate the pace of development.

He, therefore, encouraged the people of Rivers not to be disheartened over the ongoing crisis because nothing will stop him from steering the affairs of the state successfully.

“What they want is this Red Biro, but it is still with me. We are the winners because we are still signing with Red Biro. As long as we are signing with the Red Biro, development will continue in Rivers State,” he said.

Fubara emphasized that nothing will stop his administration from getting to its destination because its foundation is laid solidly in God, who alone will give the grace to complete the process of building.

The governor, who said that there is already a designed development agenda and level of progress determined for Rivers State in 2024, stressed that he will not relent in working for the good of the state.

He further expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for the fatherly role he played when he intervened to assist in the process of restoring peace in Rivers State.

“Like I keep saying, it takes a responsible man to be a father. He acted like a father. On our part, we will continue to give him all the necessary support because if he does not succeed in Rivers State, he will not succeed as president.

“So, as a state, we will continue to give him every support. We are not pretenders. Our support is genuine, and it is to uplift his programmes. Our sacrifices are part of the support.”

Fubara also thanked the people of Rivers for their unwavering support, describing them as believers in true Rivers State and urging them to trust the decisions that he takes because no one will be thrown overboard while vowing to stand firm in defence as their governor.