Suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has reassured residents that the ongoing political crisis will only make them stronger, not weaker.
Speaking at his private residence in Port Harcourt during the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations, where he hosted Muslim leaders from 20 Islamic groups, including the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Fubara encouraged his supporters to remain steadfast and trust in divine guidance.
“This season represents love, sharing, and sacrifice. You have come to share in our pain and have made great sacrifices through your prayers,” he told the delegation. “As Christians, we believe everything happens for a purpose, and I strongly believe this situation is guiding us toward a greater one.”
Acknowledging the challenges of the crisis, Fubara reaffirmed his commitment to justice, equality, and a peaceful Rivers State, free from oppression. He urged patience, drawing a biblical analogy: “If God could be patient with Noah, allowing even the snail to enter the Ark, then patience remains essential in our struggle.”
He also condemned those inciting violence, warning against elements seeking to destabilize the state. “Their goal is to create problems and deny people their livelihoods. We will not allow that. We will continue to operate peacefully and respect constituted authority to ensure Rivers remains a model for others in Nigeria.”
Representing the Muslim Ummah, Alhaji Nasir Awhelebe Uhor reaffirmed their unwavering support for Fubara, praising his inclusive leadership. Unlike past administrations that declared Rivers a 100% Christian state, he commended Fubara for recognizing the state’s religious diversity.
He urged the governor to stay resolute, reminding him that challenges are tests of faith in both Islam and Christianity. Uhor also called on President Bola Tinubu to reconsider the emergency rule in Rivers and restore Fubara’s full authority, emphasizing that the governor has remained a beacon of stability amid the political turmoil.