Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that his camp has emerged victorious over the enemies of the state in the ongoing crisis rocking the state.
News About Nigeria reports that the governor made the declaration while addressing the national and state leadership of the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) Worldwide.
This took place during a solidarity walk to the Government House in Port Harcourt on Thursday, to mark the 56th anniversary of the late Maj. Isaac Adaka Boro.
Governor Fubara acknowledged the assurances of brotherly support from the IYC and urged the Ijaw nation to key into the celebration of the liberation of the state.
According to him, every genuine Rivers man is a liberator, regardless of ethnic affiliation, and the common purpose of liberation unites them all.
The governor thanked the large crowd for their assurances of support and solidarity, stating that there would be no need to disrupt the peace as the enemies of the state had already been defeated.
He praised the Ijaw people for their courage and resilience, saying that the blood of action—less talk, more action—runs through their veins.
He said, “Because he stood for that unique thing, even after his death, we still celebrate him because he was a liberator.
“Every Rivers man, it doesn’t matter whether you are Ijaw or upland, the most important thing is that every genuine Rivers man must be a liberator.
“And I’m happy that you have come here today. I have also received you because we have one common purpose: to liberate our dear State. We are not going back on that.
“I am happy that you’ve told me this morning that when I call on you, you will respond. But there is nothing to call on you for. Because we have already defeated them.
“By the special grace of God, what they thought that they would have done to us while we were celebrating our one year in office, they are the ones sleeping with their two eyes open. It shows that we have Ijaw blood. And what is that blood: it is the blood of action; less talk, more action.”
Governor Fubara appealed to Ijaw youths to conduct themselves peacefully as they celebrated Boro Day and to be good ambassadors of the entire Ijaw Nation. He promised to support the IYC Eastern Zone with a befitting Secretariat in Rivers.
The National President of IYC, Jonathan Lokpobiri, described the day as historic. He added that the meeting between the Ijaw people and their governor at the Major Isaac Adaka Boro Day memorial affirmed that the gods of the Ijaw people were at work. He warned detractors to retrace their steps and allow the governor, who had the full mandate of the people, to discharge his duties to the Rivers people.
The chairman of IYC, Eastern Zone, Tamuno Kpokpo, clarified that their visit did not signify an ethnic war but rather a show of support for the protection of the interests and continuous development of Rivers State. He stated that IYC would resist anyone or group of persons who dared to cause any distraction of governance in the state and appealed for the governor to be allowed to govern the state peacefully.
