Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has vowed that he would not govern the State on his bended knees but, will stand firm to govern and continually on the right side in the overall interest of the people.

This was as he said that Rivers State belongs to all the citizens of the State and therefore urged everyone to unite and fight together to sustain the soul of this State.

Fubara also said he is not concerned with the number of people that are standing with him as he has made up his mind to stand on the side of truth and the people.

In the words of the Governor; “Politics of bitterness will not take us anywhere. So, I want to thank you that, at this stage, we have a few of you who understand that Rivers State belongs to everyone of us. We must, therefore, fight together to sustain the soul of this State”.

Fubara noted that there is a fierce fight over the soul of the State with a view to destroy it, but quickly added that only well-meaning persons standing firmly with him can wield the force of unity to save the State.

The Governor who stated these at the country home of Sir Celestine Omehia in Ubima community, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State on Saturday, April 27, 2024, stressed the need for every true lover of the State to synergise and be resolute in the fight to safeguard the soul of Rivers State.

He particularly decried the evil of politics of bitterness and the telling danger it has on the progress of the State, saying that it should be discouraged as a bad political culture in contemporary times.

Fubara, who was accompanied by some elders of the State, was in Ubima to commiserate with Sir Omehia, who had just laid his late mother, Mrs Ezinne Cecilia Omehia to rest after 95 years.

He said the visit was to demonstrate love and show support to Sir Omehia who, as a son, had satisfactorily performed the duty of giving his mother a befitting burial.

According to him; “I have come here with a few of us; very respected elders of the State, to come and support you and say to you that ‘we sorrow with you’. The most important thing is to show our concern and love.

“Any human being that shows enmity to death, that person is not even normal. We also rejoice with you for a life lived well to fulfilment by mama. We wish mama safe journey. Let her stay well where she has gone,” he said..

Fubara pointedly said that anybody who claims to love Rivers State should not be party to anything, directly or indirectly, that will bring it backwards, stressing that his administration will continue to support every course that will advance the interest of the State.

Fubara also spoke about the sad tanker inferno in the State with over 120 vehicles razed and about five lives lost which he blamed on impatience, describing it as “great tragedy and very unfortunate.

He said; “The tanker driver, knowing the state of that road was not patient, and it resulted in that colossal loss. Over 120 vehicles were completely burnt and five lives were lost. It was very unfortunate”.

Fubara commiserated with those who lost loved ones and others whose vehicles were burnt beyond repairs, adding that the State Government mourns and grieves with them.

In his remarks, Sir Celestine Omehia, expressed appreciation, on behalf of his family, to Governor Fubara and members of his delegation and friends, among whom, were those he described as matured elders, for the show of love.

Omehia said his mother died at 95 years, which is 25 years of grace added to the 70 years as specified in the Bible, and assured that he will sustain her legacy because she was their role model.

Omehia said that he was well known as a man who takes decision and stands by it no matter the consequences and

Declared; “I have taken a decision to be SIMplified.

In the words of Omehia; “Wherever you go (Fubara), is where I will go. If you say tomorrow, you are no more interested in this position, I will also stop fighting for anything in Rivers State. But, God who gave you the opportunity, will also give you all the wisdom, strength, power and everything that it takes to govern the people of Rivers State and beyond”.

He said that almost the entire people of the State, including chiefs, elders, opinion leaders, women, youths, civil society groups and professionals across all spectrums of the State were praying and working assiduously for the success of his Administration.

He also said that it was the support and prayers of the people that he needs to succeed, adding that, “one with God, is with majority, and will always excel and succeed”.

A statement by Nelson Chukwudi, Chief Press Secretary to the Rivers State Governor, said that highlights of the event were the offering of prayers by leaders of Ikwerre Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers for the Governor and his Administration as well as the symbolic presentation of gifts to Governor Fubara in appreciation of his peaceful disposition and quality leadership of the State.