Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has clarified that his perceived “weakness” in the face of political turmoil is a strategic and intentional choice aimed at maintaining the state’s stability.
Speaking on Friday, February 13, 2026, in Lagos while receiving the 2025 Man of the Year Award from New Telegraph, the governor delivered a speech focused on the heavy burden of leadership and the necessity of reconciliation.
In a surprising move, he dedicated the honor to his predecessor and current FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike. “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,” Fubara stated.
Read Also: Days After Meeting Wike And Tinubu, Fubara Sacks Commissioners, Special Advisers
He credited Wike’s support for his rise to prominence, adding, “He discovered me, and it is the discovery that gave me this loudness.”
The governor addressed the intense political pressure he has faced, acknowledging that his supporters have shared in his “special pain.”
He argued that his calm demeanor is not a lack of strength but a deliberate sacrifice for the common good.
“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,” he explained.
Read Also: Wike Opens Up On Meeting Between Him, Fubara And Tinubu, Gives Fresh Directive To Rivers Assembly
He further asserted that “weakness is a virtue” and that it “pays at the right time,” as it allows him to protect the interests of the state and the nation.
Fubara’s comments follow a high-level peace meeting brokered by President Bola Tinubu just last week to resolve the long-standing rift between the governor and the Wike-aligned state legislature.
Despite the ongoing friction, the governor expressed profound gratitude to his family and the people of Rivers State for their maturity during the crisis.
He emphasized his commitment to the state’s survival, even if it requires him to maintain a posture that critics misunderstand, noting that his primary goal is to “protect those things that are dear” to the people.
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