By Joy Ude
Gov.Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers,on Monday said that he is not an ungrateful person that does not acknowledged and appreciate those who were instrumental to his success as the Rivers Goovernor.
Fubara said this during a courtesy visit by the Stakeholders of Ikwerre Ethnic Nationality in Government house Port Harcourt.
The leadership of Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation Worldwide, the Supreme Council of Ikwerre Traditional Rulers, Ikwerre women, opinion and youth leaders were among the stakeholders that paid the visit to Gov. Fubara.
The Governor stated that it was due to his well-breed lifestyle and personality that made him never to contemplate throwing caution to the wind in handling the current political crisis that be deviled the state.
Fubara explained that if he was ungrateful, with bad character as canvassed in some quarters, it would had been difficult to hide for too long from everybody.
“The restrain is because I was a well brought up boy. My story is clean: I wasn’t disowned. I was a pure young man. I served people, and I have genuine record of everything. So, I tell you with all boldness and strength that I am well brought up, and for that reason, I have respect for others,
“I want to also say this: Fubara is not an ungrateful person. If I were a bad person,For 16 years, if I was a bad person, everybody would have known.
“Even if they forcefully put a feeding bottle in my mouth, if I get filled up, won’t I pull it out? So, when people stand outside and say what they say, I want you people to ask them to tell you in their own good conscience,
“What is that bad thing; that wickedness, that ungratefulness that this man (Fubara) has ever shown or done. But, I leave that one to God who will judge everybody,”Fubara said.
Fubara, however, said the visit was not a time to address those issues surrounding the political crisis but a day to appreciate the delegation and the Almighty God for what He has been doing for the state.
He recalled how people had generated the propaganda of ethnic politics into the crisis but noted that Ikwerre people had come to publicly show support, adding that the solidarity visit explains clearly that they are part of his government and are supporting it to the end.
Fubara assured that his administration would continue to work with well-meaning people, to execute more development projects in the four local government areas where Ikwerre people are domiciled.
Fubara on behalf of the state government promised to take over and complete the Obiri Ikwerre Secretariat, and donated N100million for the operations of the organisation, as well as a car gift to the President General of Ogbakor Ikwerre Worldwide.
In a speech, the President General of Ogbakor Ikwerre Worldwide, Eze Godspower Onuekwa, said as Ikwerre people, they have had their turn governing the state, and cannot sit by and watch an unknown person destroy the peace that the Governor has ensured in the state.
Onuekwa commended the Governor for the numerous development projects executed across the various Local Government Areas, including those of Ikwerre.
Onuekwa, pledged the unalloyed support of the good people of Ikwerre ethnic nationality to Fubara’s administration.
On his part, the Chairman, Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Chike Wodo, said the stakeholders of Ikwerre ethnic nationality visited to encourage Gov. Fubara, who has shown sufficient capacity in governing the state as seen and heard by the people.
Eze Wodo urged Gov. Fubara not to be distracted but remain focused, steer the affairs of the state fearlessly, and be sure of the Ikwerre support.
Also speaking, Sen. John Azuta-Mbata said Ikwerre people had governed the state for 16 years with support given to them by other ethnic groups in the spirit of inclusive politics, explaining that they cannot, therefore, refuse to support others to peacefully steer the affairs of the state.
He assured that all relevant leaders of Ikwerre ethnic nationality were present to pledge their support to Gov. Fubara against his detractors and ensure that the administration succeeds.