Governor Siminalayi Fubara of River State has expressed his stance on not idolizing the former governor of the state, Nyesom Wike, despite his role in his ascension to the governorship.
Fubara made this assertion during a meeting at the Government House in Port Harcourt, where he received a delegation from Bayelsa State, led by former governor Henry Seriake Dickson, comprising political and traditional leaders.
Fubara stated that while assisting others is commendable, it does not justify placing the helper on a pedestal akin to worshipping.
He stressed the importance of maintaining a clear distinction between gratitude towards individuals and reverence for a higher power.
“God can do anything He wants to do when He wants to do it. It is only for us to realise that. God will not come down from Heaven but will pass through one man or woman to achieve His purpose.
“So, for that reason, when we act, we act as humans; human vessels that God has used, and not seeing yourself as God.
“I want to say this clearly that we appreciate the role our leaders, most especially the immediate past governor, played. But that is not enough for me to worship a human being. I can’t do that,” he said.
He noted that in seeking peaceful resolution to the political crisis that erupted in the state last year, he had attended several reconciliation meetings, whose resolutions the other party had rebuffed.
The governor said that the Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly does not exist as far as the law is concerned.
He maintained that he had acted like the big brother in the crisis, not interested in destroying the ‘house’, so that meaningful development can continue to be engendered in the state while securing a tenable political relationship.
“But I know that I have always taken the path of peace. I have shown respect. I’ve subjected myself to every meeting of reconciliation for peace. And what happens, each time we come out from such meetings, we are faced with one thunder or lightning,” he stated.
The governor pointed out that when he assumed office, it was with the resolve to build on the existing foundation of development of past leaders, especially the immediate past governor.
Governor Fubara further stressed that it would have been out of the ordinary to engage in any political fight when there was so much work to be done for the state and its people as their governor.
He said he strongly felt that it was proper to set some records straight about what had become a minor problem that was not uncommon in every human relationship.
“But it is a bad thing when the problem that ought not to be anything, becomes something, and in fact, gets out of the bedroom to the sitting room and to the compound. That is the case of Rivers State today.
“I am also happy that you even mentioned the issues, even when I have all the instruments of State powers. I have shown restraint, and I believe that whoever is alive and has been following the activities of our dear state, knows that I have acted as a big brother in the course of this crisis.
“I have not acted like a young man that may want the house to be destroyed but I have behaved like a matured young man that I am. This is because I know that no meaningful development will be achieved in an atmosphere of crisis.
“And because our intention for Rivers State is to build on the foundation that had been laid by our past leaders, it will be wrong for me to take the path of promoting the crisis. That is why we are still recording the development that you are hearing around Rivers State,” he added.
