Governor of Rivers, Siminalayi Fubara, has said he remains calm amid the political tensions in the state because he believes God is on his side.
Fubara made the remarks on Sunday at an interdenominational church service held to mark the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day. The service took place at St Cyprian’s Anglican Church in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital.
After prayers were offered for Fubara and Ngozi Odu, the deputy governor, the governor was invited to address the congregation. However, he asked his deputy to step forward and speak on his behalf.
In a light-hearted moment, Fubara told worshippers that the service might turn out to be the final public outing for him and his deputy, drawing reactions from the congregation.
He urged residents of the state to remain calm and assured them that peace would return to Rivers.
“Let me say it here, where we were making the New Year dinner, I said that, ‘dogs bark when they don’t understand’.
“A lot of you don’t understand that the reason why I don’t shout or complain is that I know that I have what is supreme, that is God.
“I want everyone to be relaxed. What is important is peace for this dear state. We will get it by the special name of God.”
The comments came against the backdrop of moves by the Rivers house of assembly to remove the governor and his deputy from office.
On Thursday, 26 lawmakers of the assembly signed a notice initiating impeachment proceedings against Fubara and Odu over allegations of “gross misconduct”.
Martins Amaewhule, speaker of the assembly, had accused the governor and his deputy of posing a threat to democracy.
He also alleged that Fubara failed to present the state budget in accordance with constitutional requirements.
