Fubara’s Victory And Democratic Dividends

Thursday January 25, 2024 remains a watershed in the annals of the political history of Rivers State since its creation in 1967 as the apex court in Nigeria, the Supreme Court,  laid to rest the tortous and cogging legal battles that added to the distractions of the  administration of Gov. Siminalayi Fubara, the Executive Governor of Rivers State.
Sir Fubara had assiduously and dexterously grappled with the challenges attendant on the legal battles within the last eight months.
The All Progressives Congress (APC)   governorship candidate in Rivers State in the March 18, 2023 Governorship Election, Architect Tonye Cole had challenged the  judgement of the Appeal Court which revalidated the election of Sir Fubara as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and upheld by the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal.
Arch. Cole, prayed the Apex court to sack Gov. Siminalayi Fubara as Governor
However, in a unanimous decision the five man panel of the Supreme Court whose lead judgement was read by Justice Ibrahim Saulawa held that the All Progressive Congress governorship candidate in the March 18, 2023 Governorship Election for Rivers State failed to prove his allegations that there was non-compliance with the Electoral Act during the election.
Architect Cole had alleged that the election was marred by irregularities and that Fubara did not validly resign his previous position as required by law.
Recall that the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal and the Court of Appeal had dismissed Architect Tonye Cole’s suit for lack of merit.
Consequent upon his victory at the Supreme Court, the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara expressed optimism that the judgement “marks the end of distraction”.
According to him, the Supreme Court’s revalidation of his mandate in the March 18, 2023 Governorship Election was a “Victory for the entire State”, adding that it is a refreshing strength that will encourage his administration to continue the good work in governance and called on everyone to join hands with his administration to build a competitive state that will be reckoned with as a truly prosperous measure.
The Governor Fubara affirmed his commitment to provide the basic need of governance to everyone who is doing business and who lives in Rivers State.
Describing the legal contest at the Supreme Court as  an elephant, the governor hoped other challenges his administration was facing would be settled peacefully. “One elephant is out of the road, the other one, by God’s help, will be resolved amicably and the family will be one”, the Governor Fubara expressed hope.
He told Rivers people to expect accelerated growth and development of the State with the legal battles challenging his elections now over.
In a State-wide Broadcast on Friday, January 26, 2024  following the affirmation of his electoral victory by the Supreme Court of Nigeria on Thursday, Governor Fubara dedicated his victory to God and to the good people of Rivers State.
He reflected that the litigation experience was a tortuous journey that had now validated the choice and eventually confirmed the mandate freely given to him by the electorate.
“It is with a great joy and total deference to the Almighty God that I address you after a tortuous legal journey following the governorship election in our State.
“It is with great nostalgia I reflect on your trust and the absolute confidence you bestowed on us on that fateful March 18, 2023 when you gave us your mandate. Even with that overwhelming support, we had to go through litigation to validate your choice and confirmation of your mandate to us.
“We are deeply elated by the verdict of the Supreme Court of our dear nation, which has finally affirmed our victory. I owe this victory, not to my efforts or our ingenuity but to God and to you the good people of Rivers State.”
The governor said the Supreme Court ruling “is an immeasurable energizer to accelerate governance with utmost sense of commitment for the benefit of all Rivers people irrespective of political persuasion or ethnic affiliation.
“In this regard, what is important to us is the accelerated growth and development of our dear State.
“Now that the litigations are over, we call on the opposition political parties in the State to join hands with our government to build the Rivers State of our dreams.
“I extend the olive branch to my contenders and all others who went through the hog and or who withdrew their cases for the love of the State.
“I believe we are all Rivers people and by virtue of that brotherhood, let us therefore, put aside our differences and bond together to build one indivisible and greater Rivers State that posterity will remember us for.”
According to a statement by, Boniface Onyedi, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, Governor Fubara assured that despite the challenges, his administration will continue to explore the path of peace as sure foundation upon which to pull the people out of poverty.
As the governor of the State, Sir Fubara vowed to achieve a greater Rivers State continuing on the path taken in the last seven months of his administration.
Reacting to the revalidation of the Governor Fubara’s Election by the Supreme Court, the Ijaw Wari Worldwide
said the “victory is a validation of the mandate of Rivers people that was given to Sir Siminalayi Fubara as demonstrated in their overwhelming vote for him at 2023 Governorship election in Rivers State.
“Today’s victory at the Apex Court has put a seal to the determination by the Rivers people to end hitherto the reign of oppression, dehumanisation and subjection to slavery in their own land.
“The victory upholds the campaign for the liberation of Rivers people from the shackles of poverty, illiteracy, diseases, hunger and deprivation which they have suffered in the past eight years under a draconian administration”, the Organisation said.
The Forum expressed confidence in the ability of  Sir Siminalayi Fubara, to deliver the true dividends of democracy to the people of the State.
“We are confident that this victory will give our dear Governor the opportunity to do more in terms of driving his lofty human and capital development blueprint as clearly captured in the 2024 budget for the interests of the various segments of society in our dear state.
“We heartily commend our dear Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, for his finesse, uncommon virtue of patience and peaceful disposition even in the face of provocative behaviours by some disgruntled political elements in the State.
“While we restate our unalloyed support to the government of His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, we also call on those on the side of the opposition to shun every form of political crisis and join hands with the peace loving Governor to put Rivers State on the fast lane of meaningful development”, the statement said.
Similarly, the umbrella union of members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm- the Rivers State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), said the   ”judgment of the Apex court has finally put to rest the prolonged legal battle arising from the outcome of the governorship election in the state”.
In a statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Comrade Stanley Job Stanley and Secretary, Comrade Ike Wigodo, Journalists’ union described the Supreme Court’s declaration as a confirmation of the people’s trust and mandate freely given to the governor.
The statement appealed to Governor Fubara to be magnanimous in victory and also see his victory at the Apex court as a birthday gift to him and the good people of Rivers State and   urged the governor not to be distracted by political opponents but  focus on delivering good governance to the people of Rivers State.
While  advising the opponents to accept the Supreme Court’s judgement in good faith and join hands with the government to move the State forward, Journalists       urged the “people of Rivers State, especially the political class, to put all that happened during and after the elections in the State behind them and support the Siminilayi Fubara-led government to succeed and make Rivers State a better place for all”.          For its part, the Uzugbani Ekpeye, Ekpeye People’s General Assembly said, “the judgement has no doubt, put to an end the tension that arose in the State and Rivers people can now experience relative peace.
The Socio-cultural organisation noted with gladness the delivery of democratic dividends witnessed in the last couple of months by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
According to a statement by Ogboka Chris Umeda, Publicity Secretary of the Uzugbani Ekpeye, “Ekpeye people are happy with the Rivers State Governor and are confident that the State Chief Executive will deliver more for the prosperity of our dear State.
“While appealing to all sons and daughters of Ekpeye and indeed, Rivers State to rally round and support the governor, Uzugbani Ekpeye calls on Sir Siminalayi Fubara to be magnanimous in victory by carrying everyone along in the scheme of things”, the Organisation said.
Governors elected on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) were also excited and elated at the victory of Gov. Fubara at the Supreme Court. A statement by the Governorship Forum led by Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed described the verdict of the apex Court as a “testament to the people’s will”, acknowledged the unwavering support of the people of Rivers State to the People’s Democratic Party and the State Governor in the March 18, 2023 Governorship Election and commended the Supreme Court justices for upholding democracy and respecting the voice of the electorate.
Meanwhile, a group the Rivers Peace Initiative, has called for “Adoption Of No Victor, No Vanquished” approach to the judgement of the Supreme Court, saying the judgement marked a pivotal moment for Rivers State.
In a statement the convener of the Group, Obinna Ogbogidi said, “Indeed the unfortunate activities of the last few weeks have left our State tensed and sharply polarised many Rivers people along party and ethnic lines as have never been seen in our shared   history.
“But as we navigate through the decision of the apex court today, it is important that we unite in a shared commitment to peace, understanding, and a collective pursuit of justice for all.
“We must adopt the “No Victor, No Vanquish” option to enable us see through the peculiar situation we find ourselves. For those who were not favoured by the Judgment, let’s sheath our swords in the bigger interest of our State and to those who were favoured, please remember that we are all one, and extend the olive branch in its true sense.
“The Supreme Court ruling does not also call for unwarranted celebration knowing that this is simply a resolution of a difference between brothers.
We all know that the happenings in our State today, transcends political and party lines. It is obvious that our economy and social lives are seriously impacted negatively as a result of the seeming lack of security occasioned by this unsettled political waters. The fear in the State and negative impact knows no party, religious or ethnic affiliations and hence it requires our collective resolve.
“In the light of this, we call on our politicians to refrain from using inflammatory, derogatory and vexing words to avoid heating up the political and socio-economic landscape of our state. We must realise that everything in life has got its time and season. If the dispensation is not favorable to you today, it is not the end of life. We must take it as a point of duty to educate our supporters on the need for peace irrespective of the Supreme Court Judgement which has now affirmed Sir Fubara as our duly elected Governor.
“There is need to stop forthwith, the obnoxious attacks and disparaging remarks on the revered office of the Governor of Rivers State”, the statement enjoined”.
Now that the major legal battle is over, the Rivers State Governor should be allowed and supported to pursue the actualisation of his campaign promises and vision for Rivers State and the people.
Already, in his broadcast to the people of Rivers State on Friday January 26, 2024 Governor Fubara said his administration had recorded remarkable achievements in the areas of human capital development, social investment engineering, infrastructural development, micro and macroeconomic advancement and sustainable socioeconomic development across sectors.
“In addition, we have made some substantial progress in infrastructure, housing, security, urban renewal development as well as rural healthcare. We intend to sustain the tempo and expand the development net in the great ride to prosperity in our State”, the Rivers State Executive Governor said.
Now that a major “elephant is out of the road” toward the development of the State, enemies within, and opposition should see the collective interest of the State as supreme and overriding. Rather than fan the embers of crisis and sowing the seeds of acrimony through unnecessary activities and antics, they should synergise with the State Governor on moving the State forward.
The interest of Rivers State should be considered paramount. The opposition and household enemies should borrow a leaf from the Architect Tonye Cole, the defeated Candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the March 18, 2023 Governorship Election who has since congratulated the State Governor, Sir Fubara on his victory. He has also demonstrated interest and commitment in  driving investment and development of Rivers State.
According to Tonye Cole: I accept the Supreme Court’s decision without reservation understanding that it is in line with what God wants at this time. I pledge to collaborate with all well meaning individuals in and out of Government to revive Rivers State to a place where commerce and development thrives and people can live harmoniously in peace. I extend my hand of fellowship to the Government and people of Rivers State.
No doubt, those are words of a true and selfless Rivers man who subsumed his interest under the collective interest of the State to foster development, peace and progress.

Igbiki Benibo