TheCable

Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers, says the state is a collective inheritance of its people and he will not submit “our” mandate to blackmail.

The governor spoke during the quarterly general meeting of Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers in Port Harcourt.

Fubara has been at loggerheads with Nyesom Wike, his predecessor and minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), over control of the political structure that got him elected.

The rift between both men led to an attempt to impeach Fubara.

Even though President Bola Tinubu has intervened in the crisis, many see the rift as far from over.

The incumbent governor said under his stewardship, he would defend and advance the cause of Rivers.

“Let us not forget that Rivers State is our collective inheritance, presently under my watch, to protect, defend and advance it as the governor,” he said.

“I assure you that I will not fail in this responsibility nor will I surrender our mandate and progress to intimidation, blackmail and deliberate sabotage.

“I reaffirm my earlier statement and recommit myself to the path of peace as there is nothing to gain in a state of needless crisis.”

Fubara said no society would thrive without peace and security.

“We must all be worried about the plight of our youths, especially those in rural communities, most of whom are poor, neglected and almost forgotten in the government’s development plans, policies, and actions,” he said.

“As we all know, no human society can progress without peace and security.”

The governor said the traditional leaders should work to ensure that there is peace and security that would attract development.