Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has said he deliberately chooses to appear “weak” in order to preserve peace and stability amid the protracted political crisis in the state.
Fubara made the remarks on Friday in Lagos while receiving the 2025 Man of the Year award from New Telegraph.
In a speech reflecting on the burdens of leadership and the toll of political conflict, the governor dedicated the award to his predecessor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
“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,” Fubara 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 thanked his family and the people of Rivers State for their patience and maturity during months of political upheaval marked by impeachment threats and deep divisions within the state legislature.
Last week, President Bola Tinubu intervened to broker a truce between Fubara and the Rivers State House of Assembly after a prolonged standoff between the executive and the legislature. The majority of the assembly members are known allies of Wike.
Wike had recently campaigned against Fubara’s re-election bid, accusing him of reneging on a peace agreement they reportedly signed before Tinubu lifted emergency rule in the oil-rich state.
Earlier this week, Wike expressed optimism that the crisis would be permanently resolved following the president’s intervention.
The New Daily Prime had reported that Wike’s proposed peace terms before the suspension of emergency rule included the reinstatement of Sergeant Awuse as chairman of the Rivers State Traditional Rulers’ Council. Fubara had removed Awuse, a Wike ally, in June 2024 and appointed Chike Worlu Wodo in his place.
Wike also demanded the appointment of new commissioners.
On Thursday, Fubara dissolved the Rivers State Executive Council.
A day later, he forwarded a fresh list of commissioner nominees to the state assembly for screening and confirmation — a move seen as part of efforts to reset the political structure in line with the new peace arrangement.
