How Rivers People React To Fubara’s Victory At S’Court

The people of Rivers State have continued to react to the Supreme Court judgment which affirmed the victory of Governor Siminilayi Fubara in the March 18, 2023 governorship election in the State.
A cross section of Rivers people which includes members of the Rivers State Elders Council, traditional rulers, lawyers and civil servants said the Supreme Court’s victory signified power shift from the bourgeois to the common people of the State.
They also described the Supreme Court judgment as a victory for democracy and the people of the State, noting that it has brought peace and stability to the State.
In a chat with The Tide, former spokesman of PANDEF and member of the Rivers State Elders Council, Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, hailed the Supreme Court for upholding the election victory of Governor Fubara.
Chief Sara-Igbe described the apex court judgment as the will of the people of Rivers State.
He said, “there were anticipation and there were worries and we heard all kinds of rumours. Many people were afraid, but for some of us we were very sure that justice will be dispensed.”
He, however, added that it was not yet victory as detractors will want to come up with new tactics to distract Fubara’s administration especially now that the Supreme Court has affirmed him as governor.
“We are concerned that Wike’s dogs will be unleashed and that is why some of us in the Elders Council have gone to court. We want to make sure that Mr. Governor is free to do what he wants without fear and favour.”
Also hailing the judgement, the paramount ruler of Okwuzi community in Ogba Egbema Ndoni local Government Area, HRH Eze Victor Afaka, in a telephone interview with The Tide, described Governor Fubara’s victory at the Supreme Court as an act of God.
Describing Fubara as a God-sent man to Rivers people, the monarch said the activities of the governor within the last few months in office has shown him to be a capable leader who has what it takes to govern and take the State to a higher level.
He said that the victory has removed all forms of distractions as the governor will now have rest of mind to implement his policies for the State.
Eze Afaka also congratulated the governor on his birthday and pledged the support and loyalty of his people to his administration.
Another traditional ruler, the Eze Oha Evo III of Evo Kingdom, King Leslie Nyebuchi Eke, described the apex court verdict as a victory for all.
Eke said that there was “no victor no vanquished” as the judgment was divinely constructed.
Waxing spiritually, the Evo monarch said, “By strength shall no man prevail, and in everything situation, all glory should be given to God.”
He urged Fubara to use the Supreme Court victory to unite the people of the State.
Also speaking, the paramount ruler of Minama Community in Asari Toru Local Government Area of the State, King Iboroma Talbot Pokubo, said the court’s judgement was a confirmation that Rivers people voted for Fubara.
“The Supreme court has reconfirmed the position of Rivers State. This is a man we the Rivers people voted for. We decided to vote for him to be our governor because we have seen him as a man that has the leadership quality who can carry us to where we are supposed to be both in developmental projects, human capital resources and other areas of investment”, he said.
He added that the judgement has also brought peace and stability to the state.
Pokubo who is also the chairman, Asari Toru Area Council of Traditional Rulers, also thanked God for making the governor to celebrate his birthday while in office.
In his own reaction, Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Bori branch, Hon Joel Didi Esq, described the Supreme Court judgement as a welcome development.
“It is one that is based on sound legal reasoning and a thorough judicial review.
“For I perceived that the judgment is intended to bring stability to Rivers people because the judges in their wisdom have taken a clear view of the situation, not just the law, and in their magnanimity have been able to bring a lot of things into question.
“That is to say Rivers State should not be in turmoil, Rivers state should not be in crisis.”
He added that the judgement means a return of power to the people as it is the common people who celebrated more than the bourgeoisie.
On his part, Chairman of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area, Hon. Enyiada Cookey-Gam, said the Supreme Court’s verdict on Fubara was long expected, adding that it is a confirmation that he was divinely elected.
Cookey-Gam, while praying for Fubara for God’s wisdom and vision to lead Rivers State, said time has come for all good citizens of the state to join hands to make the state better and greater.
Also reacting to last Thursday’s court judgement, a former Leader of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Comrade Chinwendu Isaac Orduwa, described Fubara’s victory at the apex court as thunderous.
Orduwa said the Supreme Court judgement has proved that “the race does not belong to the swiftest nor to the quickest, but to whom the Lord showeth mercy.”
He advised people to always study history and know that nothing lasts forever.
On her part, a civil servant with the State Government, Dr Furo Jack, ascribed Fubara’s victory to the prayers of civil servants in the State who were robbed off all their dues during the last administration.
Jack said the victory should also be seen as a humble ground for good governance and opportunity to better the lot of workers in the state.
According to her, the victory should also end the mentality of paying attention to the development of one local government area more than others, as such will defeat the aim of the divine intervention embedded in the victory.
A lecturer with the Rivers State University, Dr Didia Monday Kinikanwo, in his view, said since the victory has relaxed tension in the state.
He, therefore, urged the governor, to as a matter of urgency and necessity, review the circumstances behind the suspension of the employment processes in the State especially that of Ignatius Ajuru University and do the needful.
He believes that the apex court judgment has the hand of God and must not be used as an opportunity to pay back evil or to depend on men for directions, but should rather be used to draw closer to God for divine intervention.
Meanwhile, an elite group under the aegis of Ogoni Welfare Association (OWA) has expressed satisfaction over the Supreme Court verdict that affirmed Fubura as the governor of Rivers State.
Chairman of the association, Lagos Branch, ThankGod Meekor, who extended the group’s congratulatory message to the governor and people of the State, called on the State government to address challenges faced by the people.
Meekor, in a statement yesterday, said the court verdict would give room for peace in the State, even as he urged the government to focus on good governance.
The statement read in part, “It is important to note that with victory, the governor and government, the state will have fewer distractions and hence will completely focus on delivering good governance to the people.
“We therefore look forward to a new, peaceful and dynamic Rivers State, the true Treasure Base of the Nation.”
The Tide had, last Friday, reported that civil servants and other well meaning Nigerians in Rivers State celebrated Fubara’s victory at the Supreme Court.
There was massive jubilation in parts of Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, on Thursday, immediately the Supreme Court affirmed Fubara’s victory as the governor’s supporters took to the street to celebrate his victory.
Taking the lead are State civil servants who erupted in victory songs and dancing as they trooped out from their various offices in jubilation at the Rivers State Secretariat.
At the State Secretariat complex in Port Harcourt, last Thursday, workers abandoned their duty posts to join in the celebration of Fubara’s victory. The car park of Block ‘C’ of the secretariat complex was filled to the brim as workers were seen dancing and jubilating.
Also at the Government House main car park, supporters and loyalists of the governor were seen dancing and jubilating while the troupe of the Rivers State Council for Arts and Culture (RSCAC) was seen arranging their equipment for cultural performances later in the day.
There were also many viral videos of people dancing and praising God for the victory of the governor across the State.
Many others took to their various social media platforms to express their reactions on the Supreme Court’s judgement.
A legal practitioner and former Commissioner for Information and Communications in the State, Emma Okah, on his Facebook page says: “It is victory for Gov Siminalayi Fubara, Rivers State and Rule of Law”.
Also, a former Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), and Commissioner for Information and Communications, Ibim Seminitari, simply said: Thank you, Lord!
A Port Harcourt-based journalist, Olalekan Ige, on his part said the victory is a befitting birthday gift to Governor Fubara whose birthday is January 28.
The Supreme Court had, last Thursday, dismissed the appeal of Tonye Cole and the All Progressives Congress (APC) against the election of Fubara as Rivers State governor for lacking in merit.
The court held that the appellant did not prove the allegations of non-compliance with the Electoral Act, among other things, and declared that the appeal was incompetent and dismissed it.
Cole, the APC candidate in the March 18, 2023, election, challenged Governor Fubara’s victory on the grounds that he did not resign as the Accountant General of Rivers State before the election.
The APC governorship candidate also cited alleged irregularities, non-compliance with the Electoral Act, and corrupt practices.
He sought the reversal of the judgments of the Court of Appeal and the Tribunal, which upheld the declaration of Fubara of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner of the Rivers Governorship Election.
The apex court, however, yesterday, held that the appellant did not prove the allegations of non-compliance with the Electoral Act, among other things.

John Bibor, Kelvin Nengia, King Onunwor
& Nkpemenyie Mcdominic