Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara says God Almighty and President Bola Tinubu and the people of Rivers State helped him confront and overcome the monsters that were trying to take away the peace and dignity of the state.

Fubara said this on Sunday, October 6, 2024 during the swearing-in of the newly elected Chairmen of the 23 local government councils in the State at Government House, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The ceremony had in attendance the Governor of Bauchi State and Chairman of the People Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum, Bala Mohammed, Deputy Governor, Professor Ngozi Ordu, Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Victor Oko-Jumbo, Deputy Speaker, Adolphus Oruibienimigha, Attorney General/Commissioner for Justice, Dagogo Iboroma, Secretary to the State Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Ehie Edison, and other members of the State Executive Council.

Several other distinguished guests including former Governor, Celestine Omehia, former Deputy Governor, Tele Ikuru, former Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Austin Opara, Senators John Mbata, Lee Maeba, Abiye Sekibo, members of the House of Representatives, Awaji-Inombek Abiante and Boma Goodhead, and former National Chairman of the PDP, Uche Secondus, among others were also in attendance at the event.

This followed the successful presentation of certificates of return to the democratically elected Chairmen in the local government elections held across the State on Saturday, October 5, 2024 by the Chairman of the State Indeoendent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), retired Justice Aolphus Enebeli.

The Rivers State chief executive expressed his gratitude to God Almighty, pointing out that if God were not with him, it would have been difficult to fight and win; just as he appreciated President Tinubu, noting that if not for the support and cooperation of the President, those who were fighting him would have consumed him.

He asserted that the President gave him all support he needed while the battle lasted, describing Tinubu as “a democrat who was largely interested in the progress of the state”, while also appreciating the people of Rivers State for standing by him while the battle lasted.

The Governor charged the newly elected chairmen to ensure that they worked for the interest of their people stressing that “that is the structure. When you serve the people well, that is the structure,” informing them that he would be on their toes and ensure that they worked well for the people.

He further stressed that they could not afford to fail, considering the battle they had to fight to enthrone the people’s will, maintaining that with the conclusion of the local government election, the battle to free the state had been fought and won by the people.

Fubara used the occasion to allay fears that he was leaving the Peoples Demcoratic Party (PDP), assuring that PDP Governors Forum Chairman, Bala Mohammed that he was still a member of the PDP, urging the party not to be afraid.

“I know why the chairman of the PDP Governors Forum is here. He wants to be sure that I am still in the PDP. Don’t worry, I am still a member of the PDP.”

He averred that he was not in the mood to fight anybody, neither would he tell anyone to get into the streets to protest, saying he would continue to fight to make sure that assets of the State were protected.