Embattled Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has assured the leadership of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, that he has no plan of leaving the state.
Fubara met a delegation of the PDP led by the Board of Trustees Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, who visited him at the Government House, Port Harcourt.
Wabara, a former President of the Nigeria Senate, said the visit was to ensure that the PDP continued to retain control of Rivers as a vital state in his plan.
He said the PDP would die if it loses the state.
He said, “If I was having any doubt about my membership first, of this great party, I think today, I have gotten a reconfirmation that I am still, not minding the drama around, a member of this party.”
“It doesn’t matter the number of people who watered it (PDP) and it became what it is. I am happy they are here today to discuss the Rivers State issue.”
Speaking on the internal wrangling in the party, particularly his face-off with his erstwhile godfather and predecessor, Fubara expressed joy that the party was still with him.
“I want to assure members of our party, genuine members of PDP that are here with us, that this is another hope to show that our decision to stand by the party, still standing by the party, is not a wrong decision.”
He particularly expressed joy that the team had eminent leaders and founding fathers of the PDP, like Chief Bode George, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo.
He recalled their courage, sacrifices and foresight when they sat down, crafted the Constitution of the PDP that they so named, nurtured it to become what people have come to know of it and greatly benefited.
The Governor said in such efforts to search out the truth, it was also vital for them to understand how passionately he cherishes the importance of information and the need to stay on the path of truth.
Governor Fubara stated: “I am very conscious of the importance of information. I know that a lot of information is flying here and there. But I also know that whatever I have said anywhere, I have still maintained that position.
“What I have said in Abuja is the same thing I say in Port Harcourt. If I have had any encounters with anybody in Lagos, I don’t think my story has changed. So, I strongly believe that when we go into the executive session, I will let the board members who have visited us know or to hear my side of the story.”
In his speech, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Adolphus Wabara, explained that they visited as the conscience of the party in search of peace and unity because of the ungodly tension in recent times that has threatened the PDP in Rivers State.
“We have been reading all kinds of things on the pages of newspapers and the Internet, for those who are Internet savvy. But, we, as elders of this great party decided to come to hear from the horse’s mouth.
“First of all, we want to thank you for still being there because this party should not be allowed to die. And, it is for this very reason that I am thanking you, on behalf of my colleagues, and as you can see, it’s not from one geo-political zone. We are well represented nationally.”
We were scared Sir, when we heard or read speculations, perceptions or what have you, that the party, if we are not careful, might lose Rivers State. Of course, if we lose Rivers State, Nigeria has lost its future.”
“We don’t want what happened in 2015, and 2023 to repeat itself. These men and women you see here are very neutral. But as the conscience of the party, we must go by the rule of law. And anything you do, going by the rule of law, can never be wrong. It may be delayed, but it cannot be wrong,” he said.
