Rivers crisis: I may resort to violence to protect my office, State – Fubara

• The governor stated that the worst that could happen to him would be leaving office and he is unfazed by such possibility

Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has declared that he is not scared of losing his position as the political crisis in the state deepens.

He stated that the time has come for the people of the State to be masters of their own destinies, noting that efforts by his government to achieve stability and progress are being thwarted by powerful forces.

Fubara spoke on Monday during the inauguration of residential quarters for Government House staff in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

The governor stated that the worst that could happen to him would be leaving office and he is unfazed by such possibility.

He commended the people of Rivers State for standing by his administration amid the political crisis.

“No matter how much we have been deceived in this state, we have now reached a point where the people have decided to take their destiny into their own hands.

“Inasmuch as I do not support violence, when the time comes to make a decision, I will lead the charge.

“I’m not scared of anything; the worst that can happen is for me to leave office. Am I leaving the earth? Will it stop me from existing? I’m not bothered about that. The right thing must be done and said when the opportunity is given to us,” Fubara said.

For over two years, Rivers State has been enveloped in political unrest as the hitherto cordial relationship between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who is now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, broke down.

The crisis has led to a division in the Rivers State House of Assembly, which is now split into two factions.

Last Friday, the Supreme Court upheld a Federal High Court ruling restraining the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and the Accountant-General of the Federation from releasing statutory monthly allocations to Rivers State.

Additionally, the apex court ordered the Martins Amaewhule-led faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly and other elected members to resume sitting immediately.

The Supreme Court also nullified the local government elections held in Rivers State on 5th October 2024, declaring them invalid, null, and void.

These rulings have been widely seen as a political advantage for the Wike-led faction in the ongoing crisis