Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara has thrown jabs at the immediate past governor of Rivers State and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory(FCT), Nyesom Wike, stressing that it is wrong for an individual to aspire to be strong.
According to Fubara, it is much better for Nigeria to build strong institutions rather than individuals being strong thereby rendering our nation’s institutions weak. Fubara maintained that said on it’s more rewarding for a nation to build strong institutions than strong individuals.
Fubara noted when the institutions are weak and individuals strong, the implications are often grave, stressing that strong individuals will take advantage of the weak institutions.
He noted that building strong institutions is a cause worth paying the ultimate sacrifice for as posterity will appreciate the effort of anyone who does so.
Fubara spoke in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers, on Thursday at the 2024/2025 legal year service held at the Anglican Communion.
“What we are praying for in this country is institutional strength and not individual strength. Institutional strength is the only thing that will bring development to this country,” Fubara said.
“If I am a businessman and I am coming into Nigeria to invest, why will I invest when what I am seeing today is that institutions are weak and individuals are stronger than institutions?
“This state belongs to all of us. It is not about Fubara today. If this institution is destroyed, when another person comes in tomorrow, it is the same thing that will happen.
“We need to stand and defend it. And you are the right people to do it. I am here today to assure you that even if I have my last breath, I will defend the cause of justice in this state.”
Fubara advised the judges in the state against allowing their judgment to be influenced by politicians, adding that justice must be upheld at all times.
“Some of you — you say you are legal luminaries. You know the truth, but you will go on air just to pacify your paymasters to turn the law upside down,” he said.
“We all know the law when it comes to issues that have to do with the administration of governance in the state. It is within the jurisdiction of the state high court.
“It doesn’t matter whether you joined INEC or the police. It is a state matter. I am not a lawyer, but I know that one. And you stand and say you are doing the right thing? God will judge you.”
“Let me say it here so that you will understand: Judges, you are the God that we are seeing. Your position is to stand and defend us. Your position is to look at whoever and tell the person the truth.
“Because if you don’t do it here, you will have a big question to answer. The preacher said it, every evil done in the course of administering justice, you will pay for it dearly.”
Recall that Rivers State is currently embroiled in a political crisis which is a fallout of the supremacy battle between Governor Fubara and his erstwhile ally and predecessor, Nyesom Wike.
The rift between the duo has spilled over to all the arms of government in the state as members of the House of Assembly are factionalized with each factions citing one legal verdict or the other to back up its stance.
