By Abiola Olawale
With sudden turn in the tides of political developments in the political crisis bedevilling Rivers State, Governor Siminalayi Fubara has declared that his political enemies in the state have been defeated because Rivers people are solidly behind him.
The governor asserted that his political opponents were astonished by their defeat and have been experiencing sleepless nights due to his giant strides in the state as well as the massive support of the people of Rivers state.
This comes barely 24 hours after five commissioners believed to be loyal to the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, bowed out from Fubara’s cabinet.
In an apparent reference to the development, Fubara while addressing members of the Ijaw Youths Council Worldwide (IYC), said that his government has defeated its enemies.
The governor also appreciated the national and state leaderships of the IYC for embarking on a solidarity walk to the Government House in Port Harcourt on Thursday.
He said: “Because he stood for that unique thing, even after his death, we still celebrate him because he was a liberator.
“Every Rivers man, it doesn’t matter whether you are Ijaw or upland. The most important thing is that every genuine Rivers man must be a liberator.
“ I’m happy that you have come here today. I have also received you because we have one common purpose: to liberate our dear state. We are not going back on that.
“I am happy that you’ve told me this morning that when I call on you, you will respond. But there is nothing to call on you for. Because we have already defeated them.
“By the special grace of God, what they thought that they would have done to us while we were celebrating our one year in office, they are the ones sleeping with their two eyes open. It shows that we have the Ijaw blood. What is that blood? It is the blood of action; less talk, more action.”
In his speech, the National President of IYC, Jonathan Lokpobiri, described the day as historic because Ijaw people were meeting with their governor at Major Isaac Adaka Boro Day memorial.
Lokpobiri said it affirmed that the gods of the Ijaw people were at work, and warned all detractors to retrace their steps and allow the governor, who had the full mandate of the people, to discharge his duties to Rivers people.
He lauded Fubara for his courage, bravery, and dedication to good governance, asserting that his perseverance and victory echoed the aspirations of all Ijaw people.
The New Diplomat reports that five commissioners tendered their resignation letters on Wednesday. Before then, the former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof Zacchaeus Adangor, and former Commissioner for Finance, Isaac Kamalu, had also resigned from their appointments.
This comes after Fubara ordered the probe of his predecessor, Wike. The Governor, on Tuesday, again accused Wike of leaving huge debts in the state.
Fubara said the debt portfolio of the state increased significantly under the administration of Wike.
The New Diplomat reports that Rivers State has been in the news for over six months following the open hostilities between Fubara and Wike. While the reasons for the acrimony between the duo remain top secret, some inside sources say Wike and Fubara are purportedly battling for control of the oil-rich state’s resources and political machinery.
