…Hints of being on seat up to January 2027
Twice, Gov Sim Fubara of Rivers State has reduced the raging impeachment wars to jokes, and this seems to infuriate his traducers, the lawmakers, who have promised more fire and brimstone.
At the Armed Forces Remembrance Service last Friday, Gov Fubara jokingly told his deputy, Ngozi Ordu, the professor of pharmacology, thus: ‘Today may be our last day in office’. The next day, the Martin Amaewhule-led but Nyesom Wike-backed House of Assembly regrouped and fired off a letter to the Chief Judge to set up a panel of investigation.
Fubara however rushed to a high court which issued an interim order asking the Chief Judge not to receive the impeachment notice till the objection is heard.
On Saturday (the next day), Gov Fubara attended the grand finale of the annual Port Harcourt Polo Tournament where he dropped another bombshell of a joke: “I’m still the governor of Rivers State”. This provoked uproarious laughter.
He also made bigger jokes when he described the impeachment notice as ‘a love letter to him’.
Later in the speech, the governor said the January 2027 edition of the tournament would be better because he would sit with them and enjoy it well. This immediately caused mild stirs as very important personalities regarded it as hopes the governor may survive the present crisis.
Addressing participants, Gov Fubara said: “I’m here. I’m still the Governor of Rivers State, and we will continue to do what we promised the Rivers people that we would do.
Read also: Fubara cripples RSHA’s 3rd impeachment move
“And I’m really happy that you had your tournament for one week, and the president, boldly telling the world that there was no incident; it shows that we are working and Rivers State is safe.
“That is the most important thing, and that is the basic responsibility of government.
“I’m here for two reasons: The first, I want the president to understand that he’s not the one that made me to attend this event.
“I’m here because of my late brother, Engineer Role, Architect Roland Cookey-Gam. Fortunately, the wife is here, and the son. I did promise I would come here to honor the memory of my late brother.
“Secondly, the president and maybe very few people that are very close to me ambushed me some days ago.
“And he said if I don’t attend this event, that he was going to stop some things he promised he was going to do for us in Rivers State. And I was in-between the devil and the deep blue sea.
“While I originally had a mind to come here for my brother, I said okay, let me use one stone and kill two birds.
“So I’m happy to support you and to assure you that it’s really unfortunate that I have to say this. Coincidentally, each time you’re having your tournament, there’s always one problem.”
The governor went ahead to say that in 2024, “You came to me and I made some promises. Almighty God, that January was hell. 2025, in fact, you already know the drama we were facing. You didn’t even bother to come near me, but I understand.
“This 2026, I thought it would have been the finest. They just landed me a love letter. So you understand.
“But that notwithstanding, we must move on. We must carry out our responsibility as government, and we must continue to support everyone who means well for Rivers State.
“So I’m here on behalf of the government and the very, very wonderful people of Rivers State to say, he’s mentioned a few things, some of your problems.”
On requests the Club made, the governor said he was not going to agree to buy a trailer for them, but will help in improving the status and place of this club. “That is my promise to you this night.
“For all our guests, enjoy our state. Take home the story that it is not what you hear in social media or what they tell you in the media. Rivers State is safe.
“For me, the life and property of everybody living and doing business here is the most important thing to me.
“I will not for any reason support directly or indirectly any act that will endanger the life of anyone. I made this promise here, I’ve made it severally, and I’m saying it again this night.
“So we wish you well as you go back to your places. And for those of you that will continue the enjoyment this night, it’s just unfortunately that I can’t pay for everything, but enjoy yourself, huh?”
He dropped the big hint: “Thank you. I believe next year, I will be in a more better form to be with you from the beginning to the end of the event. Thank you, and may God bless every one of you.”
