Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers, has said he sometimes chooses to appear “weak” in order to maintain peace and stability in the state.
The governor made the remark on Friday in Lagos while receiving the 2025 Man of the Year award presented by New Telegraph.
In his speech, which focused on the burdens of leadership, the impact of political disputes, and the importance of reconciliation, Fubara dedicated the honour to Nyesom Wike, his predecessor and current minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
“I do not care how you interpret it or misinterpret it. I also dedicate this award to somebody who discovered me, not minding the situation — the honourable minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike,” he said.
“He discovered me, and it is the discovery that gave me this loudness. Today is a very special day, and also special for everyone who has believed in me, and I know that for believing in me, you have a share of special pain.
“Some people have described these pains as weakness, while others say it is being strong. But I choose to be weak for a lot of reasons, weak because I want peace. Weak because we need to survive.
“Weak because I need to also protect those things that are dear, not just to me, but to our dear nation. Weakness is a virtue. It pays at the right time.”
Fubara also thanked his family and the people of Rivers State for their patience and maturity during the political crisis in the state.
Last week, President Bola Tinubu intervened to broker peace between the governor and the Rivers State House of Assembly after months of political tension, threats of impeachment, and divisions within the legislature.
Most members of the assembly are said to be allies of the FCT minister.
Wike had recently campaigned against Fubara’s re-election bid, accusing the governor of failing to honour a peace agreement both men signed before Tinubu lifted the emergency rule in the state.
Earlier in the week, the FCT minister expressed confidence that the prolonged dispute between the executive and the legislature would be permanently resolved following the president’s intervention.
In January, it was reported that the peace conditions proposed by Wike before the suspension of the emergency rule included a demand that Fubara reinstate Sergeant Awuse, the traditional ruler of the Emohua kingdom, as chairman of the state’s council of traditional rulers.
Fubara had removed Awuse, a known ally of Wike, in June 2024 and replaced him with Chike Worlu Wodo.
Wike also requested the appointment of new commissioners.
On Thursday, Fubara dissolved the state executive council.
A day later, the governor forwarded a list of new commissioner nominees to the state assembly for screening and confirmation.
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