Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has lashed out at those who sought to topple his administration, revealing they had boasted he wouldn’t survive beyond one week in office. Speaking defiantly during the Rivers State Day of Thanksgiving, Praise, and Worship at the Alfred Diette-Spiff Civic Centre in Port Harcourt, Fubara declared that not only has he defied their predictions, but his government is thriving with transformational projects and financial accountability.
Addressing a jubilant audience on Wednesday, which included clergies, worship leaders, and gospel singers, Fubara accused "undemocratic elements and haters of the state" of masterminding an attempt to abruptly end his tenure on October 30, 2023, describing the plot as a direct attack on him and an indirect assault on the people of Rivers State.
"If you were not with us, we wouldn’t be standing here today," Fubara told the crowd. "What happened on the 30th of October was an assassination attempt on the people of Rivers—and on me. Since they couldn’t kill everyone, they tried to kill one person. But by God’s grace, their evil plan failed."
The Governor took a swipe at his critics, saying their schemes to paralyze his administration have backfired. "They said we wouldn’t last a week, but we’ve crossed one year and are going stronger. They wanted to cripple us by making commissioners resign, but today we have more than 23 commissioners and 23 local government chairmen working with us," he boasted.
Fubara emphasized that despite the attempts to derail governance, his administration has remained focused on delivering impactful projects and services. He highlighted the recent recognition from BudgIT, a civic-tech organization, which ranked Rivers State first in the 2024 Fiscal Performance Index for its transparency and accountability in managing public funds. "We are not here to steal your money; we are here to be accountable," he said.
With a tone of triumph, the Governor mocked his opponents for spreading rumors on social media, dismissing their narratives as irrelevant. "By tomorrow, our contractors will be paid. Salaries will be credited. The local government chairmen have received their allocations. Who is the loser now?" he asked rhetorically.
Fubara also shed light on the political fallout over the Presidential Peace Accord, accusing his opponents of dishonoring their part of the agreement. He explained that while his administration had withdrawn legal cases in the spirit of peace, the other party violated the accord by continuing with their lawsuits and securing judgments. "And they call themselves honorable? That’s fraud!" he declared, hinting at his refusal to further engage with dishonest actors.
Reassuring Rivers people, Fubara urged them to stay united and ignore distractions. "Our administration is here to leave a legacy that will stand the test of time. We’re not expanding roads because we own businesses along them, but because we are building for the future of Rivers people," he vowed.
The event reached a spiritual climax as Rev. Umai Ukpai delivered a fiery exhortation, calling down divine wrath on those attempting to disrupt the peace in Rivers State. "Enough is enough!" Rev. Ukpai declared, invoking God’s protection over the state and its leadership.
The thanksgiving service featured powerful musical performances from popular gospel artists including Preye Odede, Frank Edwards, Asu Ekiye, and others, filling the venue with praise as residents celebrated their Governor's resilience and divine deliverance.
Governor Fubara left the stage with a final assurance: "No matter what challenges we face, with the support of the people and the grace of God, we will finish strong. Rivers people, be confident—our best days are still ahead."
