Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has declared that he is not desperate to return to office amid the ongoing political turmoil in the state.
Speaking at a service of songs held in honour of the late elder statesman Edwin Clark, organised by the Rivers Elders Forum in Port Harcourt on Sunday, Fubara made it clear that he has emotionally detached from his role. “Do you even know if I want to go back there? My spirit has already left there,” he said.
His remarks came in response to several speakers at the event who referred to him as “Governor” and harshly condemned his suspension, demanding its immediate reversal. Fubara, however, distanced himself from their comments, describing them as personal opinions that may not contribute to peace.
“Not everything is by ‘oshogbe,’” he added, suggesting that a more measured and less confrontational approach is needed to resolve the state’s political crisis.
He also warned that some of the actions taken by his supporters, though motivated by loyalty, have had unintended consequences. “Some of your good intentions have worsened my situation,” he cautioned.
Fubara urged attendees to focus on the legacy of Edwin Clark, whom he praised for living a life of service to the Niger Delta region, rather than turning the memorial into a political platform.
The governor’s candid tone further reflects the strain of his months-long standoff with his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, which has thrown Rivers politics into crisis and led to a federal intervention.
