Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers, says he acts “weak” to preserve peace and stability in the state.
Fubara spoke on Friday while receiving the 2025 man of the year award presented to him by New Telegraph newspaper in Lagos.
Fubara, whose speech centred on the strains of leadership, the toll of political conflict, and the need for reconciliation, dedicated the award to Nyesom Wike, his predecessor and minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
“I do not care how you interpret it or misinterpret it. I also dedicate this award to somebody who discovered me, not minding the situation — the honourable minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike,” he said.
“He discovered me, and it is the discovery that gave me this loudness. Today is a very special day, and also special for everyone who has believed in me, and I know that for believing in me, you have a share of special pain.
“Some people have described these pains as weakness, while others say it is being strong. But I choose to be weak for a lot of reasons, weak because I want peace. Weak because we need to survive.
“Weak because I need to also protect those things that are dear, not just to me, but to our dear nation. Weakness is a virtue. It pays at the right time.”
The governor expressed appreciation to his family and the people of Rivers for their patience and maturity amid the political upheaval in the state.
Last week, President Bola Tinubu brokered peace between the governor and the Rivers state house of assembly, following months of political tension, impeachment threats, and division in the legislature.
The majority of the Rivers House of Assembly members are allies of the FCT minister.
Wike recently campaigned against Fubara’s re-election bid, accusing him of reneging on a peace deal they both signed before Tinubu lifted the emergency rule in Rivers.
Earlier in the week, Wike expressed confidence that the protracted standoff between the executive and the legislature in Rivers would be permanently resolved following Tinubu’s intervention.
In January, TheCable reported that the peace terms proposed by Wike before the suspension of the emergency rule in the south-south state included a demand that Fubara reinstate Sergeant Awuse, the traditional ruler of the Emohua kingdom, as the chair of the state’s traditional rulers’ council.
Fubara had sacked Awuse, a strong ally of Wike, in June 2024 and appointed Chike Worlu Wodo in his place.
Wike also demanded the appointment of new commissioners.
On Thursday, Fubara dissolved the state executive council.
On Friday, the governor sent a list of new commissioners to the state assembly for screening and confirmation.
