Fubara’s brother joins Rivers governorship race, vows one term

Ambassador Blessing Fubara Senior, brother of Siminalayi Fubara, has declared his intention to contest the Rivers State governorship election under the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), promising to serve only one term if elected.

The governorship aspirant made the declaration ahead of the party’s primary election, describing himself as a “ready, competent and energetic” candidate determined to restore peace, economic growth and political stability in the state.

Fubara said Rivers State had suffered political and economic setbacks, adding that the state needed a collective political uprising to regain its lost status.

He said: “I am addressing you today on the occasion of the Nigerian Democratic Party, Nigerian Democratic Congress Party primary elections across states of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“We are standing on a ground competent, reliable and reputable to restore the soul of Nigeria and restore the soul of River State.

“The case of the political happenings in Rivers State cannot be overemphasised.

“The people are feeling for this purpose.”

The aspirant lamented what he described as growing hardship and political decline in the state.

He said: “We have lost opportunities. We have lost investments. We have lost our dignity as a people. We have lost our pride as Rivers people.”

Fubara said the state was gradually losing its economic and political relevance despite its history as the “treasure base of the nation.”

He said: “Therefore, it is time for a total uprising, for us to make a statement across party lines, across our ethnic and political sentiments, to take over our states and return our dear River States to the zenith of the state as it was known as the treasure base of the nation that was characterised with steaming and booming economic prosperity, people’s community investment advantages.

“Today, we see a River State that is distressed.

“Today, we see a River State that is shortchanged. Today, we see a River State that seems almost like a conquered state. No, we are not a conquered people.”

The governorship hopeful also insisted that political power ultimately rests with the people rather than financial strength.

He said: “We have decided to offer ourselves to you as a state. We might not challenge the financial capacity that they have, but we know that we have the people, so we are richer in capacity.”

Fubara called on supporters across the 23 local government areas of the state to mobilise massively for the primary election.

He said: “I’m calling on my 2 million fans across the 23 local governments of River State that are carrying party holders of the Nigerian Democratic Congress to all come in mass, stand at your polling units, stand at your wards, make a statement for us to reclaim the soul of our dear River States.”

The aspirant also defended the state’s political zoning arrangement, insisting that Rivers South-East Senatorial District must complete its eight-year tenure.

He said: “We have vowed to you to keep the peaceful existence of the political rotation of River States according to our founding fathers by our districts.

“The River Southeast Senatorial District must complete their 8-year tenure.

“Therefore, I have vowed to do just a 4-year one-term tenure to bring the expected prosperity and development in River State.

“When that is done, we will stand with all of our capacity and paraphernalia of office to support our next brother who will come from the next senatorial district.”

According to him, any attempt to alter the zoning structure could destabilise the state politically.

He said: “It is of pertinent reasoning for us to understand that it sets a very wrong and dangerous precedent if we alter the senatorial rotation of our leadership and governance in the state.

“River State has been peaceful in spite of the restlessness that also can be witnessed every other place in the world.