Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, revealed on Wednesday that he felt blindsided by the peace agreement he signed with a faction of the State House of Assembly, which had sought to remove him from office.
Speaking at a non-denominational thanksgiving event in Port Harcourt, marking a year since he survived an impeachment attempt by 27 lawmakers loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, Fubara recounted his experience.
The governor clarified that while President Bola Tinubu, the initiator of the peace accord, had no ill intentions, those whom he believed were genuinely interested in resolving the crisis turned out to have ulterior motives.
Realizing their deceptive agenda, he decided to avoid falling into their trap.
Fubara criticized the pro-Wike lawmakers for not honoring the peace agreement, calling their actions deceitful. “We went to Abuja, and Mr. President, understanding the importance of peace for Rivers State, set out terms for reconciliation.
“We returned to the state, fulfilled all conditions, even withdrawing court cases. Yet, some who call themselves honorable couldn’t uphold simple instructions,” he remarked.
Expressing gratitude to prominent Rivers leaders and supporters for their resilience over the past year, Fubara emphasized, “I stand here because of your support. Many may not fully grasp what happened on October 30, 2023.”
He assured his commitment to peace, lauding his supporters for standing firm through challenges. “They claimed we wouldn’t last a week, but we are here over a year later. They doubted our local government leadership; today, we have our chairmen in place. They wanted commissioners to resign, yet we have over 23 serving,” Fubara stated, listing achievements despite opposition efforts.
Highlighting his administration’s transparency, Fubara noted recent external praise for the state’s accountability. Turning to his opponents, he asked, “Who is the real winner? We are here to thank God for what He did a year ago, and He will continue to protect us.”
He assured residents of his commitment to paying contractors, staff salaries, and releasing funds for local councils. “Who truly lost here? Success is when you thrive against those who expect you to fail,” he affirmed, reiterating his determination to maintain peace in Rivers State and thanking his supporters for their sacrifices.
