I would not rule Rivers on bended knees- Gov Fubara vows

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has  vowed  that he would not rule the state on bended knees regardless of what he called the ongoing fierce fight to destroy the soul of the state.

Fubara, who is currently locked in a political battle with his immediate past predecessor, Mr. Nyesom Wike, pleaded for the support of all well meaning people of the state in order to save it.

He spoke at the Ubima country home of a former governor of the state, Sir Celestine Omehia, in Ikwerre Local Government Area.

The governor, accompanied by some elders of the state, was on a condolence visit to Omehia on the recent death of his mother, Mrs Ezinne Cecilia Omehia.

Fubara, according to his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Nelson Chukwudi, said the visit was to demonstrate love and show support to Sir Omehia who, as a son, had satisfactorily performed the duty of giving his mother a befitting burial.

He stressed the need for every true lover of the state to stand up to be counted in the fight to safeguard the soul of Rivers State.

“Anybody who claims to love this state should not be party to anything, directly or indirectly, that will bring us backwards,” the governor was quoted as saying.

He added: “We will continue to support every course that will advance the interest of our dear Rivers State.

“And I am happy to say, and I’ve said it over and again, it doesn’t matter the number of people that are standing with me, I will stand on that side of truth.

“I will not, I repeat, I will not govern our dear state on my knees (bending).

“If that was the purpose, I will not do that. I will stand to govern our dear state and stand continually on the side of right.

“But politics of bitterness will not take us anywhere. So, I want to thank you that, at this stage, we have a few of you who understand that Rivers State belongs to every one of us. We must, therefore, fight together to sustain the soul of this state.”

Fubara also spoke on the Friday tanker inferno which he said razed over 120 vehicles and claimed five lives.

He described the incident as a “great tragedy and very unfortunate”.