Governor Siminalayi Fubara revealed he was blindsided by a peace agreement he signed with a faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly, a group that he claims ultimately sought to remove him from office. Fubara shared these sentiments during a non-denominational thanksgiving in Port Harcourt, marking a year since he survived the October 30, 2023, impeachment attempt led by 27 lawmakers loyal to Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Fubara clarified that President Bola Tinubu, the initiator of the peace accord, was not the one responsible for the “ambush.” Instead, Fubara criticized others involved in the agreement, suggesting they were insincere about resolving the situation. “I acted as an honourable. I discovered that I was being ambushed, not by the person who initiated the peace,” he stated.
He further condemned the lawmakers’ actions, describing them as fraudulent. “We went to Abuja, and Mr. President, knowing the importance of peace for Rivers State, called out some conditions for peace. We came back here, in this state, to do everything that has to do with the conditions of the peace. We went to court immediately and withdrew our matters. And you call yourself honourable when you cannot obey simple instructions,” Fubara remarked.
During his speech, Fubara expressed deep gratitude to the prominent figures in Rivers State who had supported him over the past year, crediting their “belief and resilience” in helping to overcome the challenges his government has faced. “I am standing here because of all of you. A lot of people may not understand what happened on the 30th of October, 2023,” he said with nostalgia.
The governor reiterated his commitment to establishing peace in Rivers State, commending his supporters for standing by him through difficult times. “We are still complete. Let me tell you, we are still intact. They said we’re not going to last for one week. We are here one year plus,” he declared.
“They said we would not have local government chairmen. Today, we have local government chairmen,” he continued. “They said commissioners should resign immediately. Today, we have more than 23 commissioners. They said they are not going to do anything; they are going to frustrate them, they are not going to succeed. By the grace of God, there are lots of projects that are touching the lives of the people.”
Fubara also highlighted his administration’s transparency and prudent use of state resources, mentioning that Rivers State had recently been praised by an external body for its transparency and accountability.
In addressing his opponents, Fubara posed a pointed question: “I now ask the question, who is the winner? We are here to appreciate God for the way He did it one year ago, He will do it again.” He promised to continue paying contractors, employees, and local government funds promptly.
He closed with a challenge to those who doubted his administration, saying, “I ask you again, who is the loser? Who is the loser? You see why you need to be happy? Do you see why you need to celebrate the righteousness of God?”
In his view, Fubara equated success with overcoming the expectations of detractors, reiterating his commitment to peace in Rivers State and his gratitude to those who had supported him through these trials.