“No King Lives Forever” – Governor Fubara Declares Amid Political Battle
The suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has broken his silence amid his ongoing political battle, declaring that “no king lives forever.”
Fubara, who was suspended from office in March following the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu, addressed a gathering in Bonny over the weekend.
His remarks have been interpreted as a direct reflection on the political upheaval that has rocked the state since his falling out with his predecessor, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The state of emergency, which was a response to the deepening rift between Fubara and Wike, led to the appointment of a Sole Administrator, retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, to oversee the affairs of Rivers State for six months.
In his address, Fubara insisted that time would vindicate him, and that his political victory would eventually be restored.
“Everybody will not appreciate your style but when you know that what you are doing is right, you are sure that in 25 to 30 years, if placed in any box and you are asked a question, you can defend your action, that’s what makes you a man,” he said.
He continued, “No king lives forever, that’s the truth and no authority lasts forever, but what is important is that within the period that you are in power or when you reigned, I wished you did wonderful things that would speak forever.”
Fubara said he would not pretend to be someone he is not.
“Some people accused me about a lot of things but the truth about it is that I can’t be what I’m not or who I am,” he said.
Encouraging his supporters to stay resilient, he said: “And for our people, just be strong – at times, you need to lose to win – for me and anybody who believes in me, I have never considered myself losing anything. It’s when you attach life to things that it bothers you.”
“I know that at the end of the day, our winning will come to us because we are standing on a solid rock,” he concluded.
Since his suspension, Governor Fubara has met twice with President Tinubu and Minister Wike in efforts to resolve the crisis and seek a path toward reconciliation.
