Rivers Crisis: ‘I Won’t Surrender My Mandate Despite Intimidation’ – Gov Fubara

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has vowed never to succumb to intimidation amidst the level of sabotage deliberately staged in some quarters to make him abandon the mandate given to him to serve, protect, and advance the state.

Naija News reports that Fubara made this known on Thursday while declaring open the 115 and 116 combined Quarterly General Meeting of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers in Port Harcourt.

The Governor reaffirmed his commitment to serve with humility, sincerity of purpose, and accountability despite the crisis rocking the state.

He said, “Although these are trying times, let us not forget that Rivers State is our collective inheritance, presently under my watch, to protect, defend, and advance it as the Governor.

“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.”

The Governor noted that drastic measures have been taken to help the unemployed youths through viable initiatives on skills development and entrepreneurship training.

Fubara also emphasised that the 2024 state budget will prioritise and provide sufficient funding to create universal access to quality education and healthcare services in Rivers State.

He also urged traditional rulers to be upright and never to compromise their neutrality but to speak the truth to power so that they do not lose their moral authority and legitimacy before their people.

He added, “We will also take deliberate steps to unlock the entrepreneurial spirit among our teeming unemployed youths through viable initiatives on skills development, entrepreneurship training, and targeted investments in commercial agriculture.

“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.

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

“I will therefore urge you to continue to work tirelessly for the preservation of peace and security to attract sustainable development to your communities.”