Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that his strength lies in prayer, not in the “instruments of war,” as he urged residents to ignore the escalating political rhetoric in the state. His comments come amidst renewed verbal attacks from his estranged political godfather, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Speaking during a New Year crossover service at the Government House Chapel in Port Harcourt, Governor Fubara expressed optimism for 2026 but acknowledged the challenging political climate. โWe do not have equipment for war. The only thing we have is our knees. We will continue to pray to God, and God will never let us down,โ he stated.
Addressing the people directly, he urged calm: โI want to assure everyoneโฆ that in 2026, you should not be troubled by the sounds of war that you are hearing.โ
Fubaraโs message serves as a direct response to a series of confrontational statements from Wike earlier in the week. The FCT Minister had mocked Fubaraโs defection to the All Progressives Congress and declared his camp “battle-ready” for the 2027 elections. Wike insisted that access to state funds, reportedly up to N600bn, would not guarantee Fubaraโs re-election.
โWe have defeated people with money before, and we will still defeat people with money. What matters is the people; it is not money,โ Wike had said, accusing the governor of reneging on past political agreements.
Despite the tension, Governor Fubara thanked his supporters and reaffirmed his commitment to governance and development. He also expressed confidence in President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, predicting his victory in the 2027 presidential election and pledging the state’s support.
The governor’s call for prayer over conflict underscores the deepening and increasingly public rift between the two political figures, setting the stage for a contentious political period in Rivers State.
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