Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has voiced his dissatisfaction with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), stating that both he and his supporters feel let down by the party.
Fubara, who took office as governor under the PDP a year ago, shared his sentiments during a meeting with the Senate Committee on Privatisation, led by Senator Orji Kalu, at the government house in Port Harcourt. Among the attendees was Senator Abba Moro, a former Minister of Interior, whom Fubara recognized as a prominent figure within the PDP.
The governor humorously informed the Benue politician that he no longer felt compelled to follow party protocols, emphasizing that the PDP had failed to meet the expectations of the people in Rivers State.
“We’re now a movement dedicated to defending democracy,” Fubara stated, “rather than merely adhering to political party lines.”
Fubara also addressed the political turmoil in the state, referencing an incident where a man attempted to detonate an explosive in Port Harcourt on Tuesday. The target was the Presidential Hotel, a top-rated establishment hosting high-profile individuals, including members of the Senate committee. The suspect was apprehended by the police.
Discussing the incident on Wednesday, Fubara suggested the attack was intended to justify calls for a state of emergency in Rivers State.
“The idea was to create a situation where, upon your return and discussions, the debate would center around the need for a state of emergency,” Fubara explained. “They wanted to manipulate the narrative to make it seem like an emergency was necessary.”
Fubara expressed his belief that divine intervention had thwarted the plan, stating, “When you are with God, even those plotting against you will reveal their intentions. This is what protects us in this state.”
The governor questioned the apparent lack of legal consequences for certain offenders, implying that some individuals seemed to be above the law. He highlighted that tenure elongation for former local government chairmen had not been a contentious issue elsewhere in the country.
“I am not fighting anyone,” Fubara clarified. “I am defending Rivers State and protecting the interests of its people against those who think they control our lives.”
