No Governor In Nigeria Can Take The Insults I Received From Wike’s Loyalists – Fubara

The Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara has stated that he has endured enough insult from the camp of his predecessor, Nyesom Wike and would not tolerate it any more.

He spoke shortly after signing the ₦1.1tn 2025 budget at the state House in Port Harcourt on Thursday.

Defending his decision to present the 2025 budget to three lawmakers, Fubara asserted that the 27 members of the State House of Assembly who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress has permanently lost their seats.

According to him, there is no remedy or opportunity for the 27 lawmakers, loyal to  Wike, to return to the Assembly

Fubara dismissed claims of a factional Assembly, stating that the three-member Assembly led by Speaker Victor Oko-Jumbo is the only legitimate legislative body.

He said, “I want to say this, maybe for some persons somewhere who are still mixing up issues. We have only one Assembly and that Assembly is headed by Rt. Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo.

“A group of friends about nine months ago embarked on what is called the sea-bared journey; halfway through the vessel, while they were coasting, they realized that they were entering the den of devils and sharks, and they now want to retreat.

“It is too late, and the truth is that we are not going back. We have given them enough room for peace. There is no governor in Nigeria who can take the kind of insult I took from those set of people.

“As it stands now, our major target is the interest of Rivers State, and we will continue to defend the integrity of governance. As far as I am concerned, we have moved on.”

Fubara pledged to remain focused on defending the interests of Rivers State and ensuring the integrity of governance.

He said, “We will make sure that we kick-start, so that the record of performance that was accorded by this administration in the year 2024 will be higher in this year, 2025.

“Let me first thank the Rivers State House of Assembly for doing a very diligent job, and also realising the task that we have ahead of us, which is to continue to work for Rivers people. So, I want to thank you for working very hard and ensuring that we hit the ground running in this New Year.”

Fubara also commended members of the State Executive Council, especially the Deputy Governor, for their support and cooperation, and specifically thanked the Commissioners for Finance and Budget, as well as the acting Chairman of the Rivers State Internal Revenue Board, for their contributions.

He noted, “We expect you to do more because we have a bigger task ahead of us. We have made some promises to our people; education, health and agriculture. We must make sure we make good impact just like we have done in the areas of road and other aspects of the economy.

“We made a promise to you (Rivers people) that we will continue to protect, defend, and promote the interest of our dear state.”