By Nchetachi Chukwuajah
Ambassador Blessing Fubara Senior, brother of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has declared his intention to contest the state’s governorship election under the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), vowing that he will serve for only one term if elected.
Fubara declared his intention ahead of the party’s primary election in a video posted on social media, describing himself as a “ready, competent, and energetic” candidate committed to restoring peace, stability, and economic prosperity in Rivers State.
He said the state had suffered economic decline and loss of dignity, calling for a collective political “uprising” to reclaim its lost standing.
“I am addressing you today on the occasion of the Nigerian Democratic Congress party primary elections across states of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“We are standing on competent ground, reliable and reputable, to restore the soul of Nigeria and restore the soul of Rivers State. The case of the political happenings in Rivers State cannot be overemphasised. The people are feeling for this purpose,” he said.
Fubara lamented the current political situation in the state, saying Rivers lost opportunities and has been short-changed.
He said, “We have lost opportunities. We have lost investments. We have lost our dignity as a people. We have lost our pride as Rivers people.”
The governorship aspirant further promised to restore peace and economic growth in Rivers State if elected governor, insisting that political strength lies in the people, not financial power.
He said, “Therefore, it is time for a total uprising, for us to make a statement across party lines, across our ethnic and political sentiments, to take over our states and return our dear Rivers State to the zenith of the state as it was known as the treasure base of the nation that was characterised with steaming and booming economic prosperity, people’s community investment advantages.
“Today, we see a Rivers State that is distressed. Today, we see a Rivers State that is short-changed. Today, we see a River State that seems almost like a conquered state. No, we are not a conquered people.
“We have decided to offer ourselves to you as a state. We might not challenge the financial capacity that they have, but we know that we have the people, so we are richer in capacity.”
Fubara called on his supporters across the 23 local government areas of the state to mobilise massively for the party’s primary election.
He also stated that his governorship ambition was informed by the need to maintain the state’s zoning arrangement, insisting that the Rivers South-East Senatorial District must complete its eight-year tenure.
“I’m calling on my two million fans across the 23 local governments of Rivers State that are carrying party holders of the Nigerian Democratic Congress to all come in mass, stand at your polling units, stand at your wards, make a statement for us to reclaim the soul of our dear Rivers State.
“We have vowed to you to keep the peaceful existence of the political rotation of Rivers State according to our founding fathers by our districts. The River Southeast Senatorial District must complete its 8-year tenure.
“Therefore, I have vowed to do just a 4-year one-term tenure to bring the expected prosperity and development in Rivers State. When that is done, we will stand with all of our capacity and paraphernalia of office to support our next brother who will come from the next senatorial district,” he said.
He warned that altering the political rotation formula in the state could create a “dangerous precedent.”
“It is of pertinent reasoning for us to understand that it sets a very wrong and dangerous precedent if we alter the senatorial rotation of our leadership and governance in the state. Rivers State has been peaceful in spite of the restlessness that also can be witnessed every other place in the world.
“Politically, within the years past, we have seen the worst part of politics that the world has never witnessed. But I stand to be the only candidate across party lines that will restore peace, that will merge experience and competence to further on the growth and prosperity of our dear River State,” he said.
Fubara equally urged his “elder brother” in the race to step down and support what he described as “the uprising of the people” aimed at reclaiming the state.
“Therefore, I call on my elder brother also in the contest to see reasons to the reason that this is the right time for us to take over our state.
“To rather step down and support the call of the people, the uprising of the people for us to take back our dear state and restore a prosperous and progressive state for all,” he said.
