Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara has said his administration with backing from foremost political leaders like former Governor Peter Odili will not allow any detractor to take Rivers State for a ride in 2025.
Gov. Fubara addressing Rivers people at a New Year Day state banquet at Government House, Port Harcourt, said he is confident that with his administration having earned the support of former Governor Peter Odili and other past Rivers political leaders of proven integrity and accomplishments, no detractor can stand on his way in taking the state to new heights.
The governor said he will ensure to protect the integrity of the state, at all cost in 2025 and won’t allow anybody take the state for a ride.
“It doesn’t matter the approach I will use. It’s not going to be a fight. We will follow the issues as we did with the case when they (detractors) started begging.
“Imagine people who chanted ‘on your mandate we stand’, came back to say we’re no longer there. Nothing will stop us from not achieving the purpose of governance in this state,” he said.
Harping on his overwhelming support base, Gov.Fubara added that “we’re not bothered about what they (opposition) will come with. God will always have a way to save us from them. They’re going to come, but we are not worried. We’re equal to the task.
“A lot of persons wouldn’t understand what is really happening. This is not to say we didn’t have people that were with us and following us and fighting, but one of the troubles they (detractors) have where they’re today is that they don’t have any face with them.
“The beginning and the end of politics in this state is Dr. Peter Odili. And if he is sitting with us and with these other persons, who do they have with them?
“This Dr. Odili is the right face and right image of our state. These are the frontiers of Rivers State. Men and women that have distinguished themselves are sitting with us. People who have contributed in several ways to make Rivers State what it is, not rented people they bring for dinner.”
In retrospect, Gov. Fubara captured the past year, 2024 as a paradox of daunting challenges but which ended with his administration scoring more gains than losses.
He declared that “2024 wasn’t an easy year, but it was great for us in the end. About this time last year, we were in a not very pleasant mood, for fear of what might happen because of the boasting of those who believe they control life.
“We will continue to put our trust in God as 2024 has been a wonderful year. We had our losses and our gains. But the most important thing is that our gains surpassed the losses.
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“We will continue to protect the lives of our people and provide the required services in our state. No lowering our guards, rather we will raise our task because, what is speaking for us today is the achievements we’re having in the face of distractions.
“Therefore, raising the bar will be our own way of telling the world that no matter what is happening here, we mean well for the state and know what we are doing.”
Welcoming guests to the banquet, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Tammy Danagogo said the outgone year has been a wonderful one, and commended Gov. Fubara for being focused as an emancipator of the state.
He said that no matter the antics of the enemies, their acts to distract the state government will continue to fail.