Nelson Ekujumi, former Executive Director of the Centre for Social and Economic Rights, has expressed concerns over Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s approach to the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State. In an interview with TVC News FROM 0:23, Ekujumi criticized Fubara’s focus on battling perceived political adversaries, particularly his alleged conflict with political godfathers, and urged him to adopt a more mature stance in addressing the state’s challenges.
Ekujumi highlighted that as the number one citizen of Rivers State, Governor Fubara bears the ultimate responsibility for the state’s governance and must prioritize leadership over personal conflicts. “Governor Fubara, for me, is not conducting himself as the number one citizen of Rivers State because I expect him to display maturity in handling this crisis. He should not focus on Godfather as if that’s the only enemy he has in that state,” Ekujumi said, referencing the ongoing feud between Fubara and former governor Nyesom Wike.
Ekujumi stressed that Fubara must concentrate on the responsibilities of his office and deliver on the mandate entrusted to him by the people of Rivers State. “The power to govern the state has been placed squarely on his shoulder and if at the end of four years, we want to examine the account of stewardship in that state, we would say because he was fighting with this, because he was fighting with that,” Ekujumi added, cautioning Fubara that excuses would not suffice when the time comes to evaluate his leadership.
Rather than engaging in political skirmishes, Ekujumi urged Fubara to focus on governance and to be “more circumspect with the way he’s dealing with the issues.”