His Royal Highness Anab Sara-Igbe, Pioneer Spokesman and Board of Trustees member of the Pan-Nigeria Delta Forum and Rivers Elders and Leadership Forum, has called for calm in the ongoing political dispute in Rivers State involving the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Sara-Igbe made the remarks during an interview from 5:24 on Symfoni TV on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, while speaking on the continued tension surrounding governance and political control in the state.
He expressed concern that the governor has not been given full space to administer the affairs of Rivers State, despite repeated political disputes and interventions by rival camps. “And ever since the emergency rule, you don’t allow this young man to administer the state,” he said.
Sara-Igbe also criticised what he described as inconsistent political demands, including alleged attempts to initiate impeachment proceedings against the governor at different times. “Today you will say you want to impeach him, tomorrow you don’t want to impeach him,” he stated.
He noted that Governor Fubara has consistently avoided confrontation and maintained a peaceful approach to governance despite the political pressure surrounding his administration. “And the man is not ready to fight you. He will ask everybody not to fight, he will ask everybody to calm down, that he is not fighting anybody. And yet you don’t allow him to rest,” he said.
Quoting a traditional expression, Sara-Igbe warned against persistent political pressure, suggesting it could lead to unintended consequences. “Our elder says, if you pursue a chick, you might fall and break her leg. Nyesom Wike should allow this man,” he added.
He further argued that political outcomes in Rivers State would ultimately be determined by the electorate rather than a small group of political actors. “You should also realize that the general election will be determined by the people of River State, and not a few persons and big persons,” he said.
Sara-Igbe also expressed confidence in Fubara’s public support, stating that the governor could mobilize significant backing if necessary. “If the governor, Sim Fubara, wants to showcase, I can tell you, if he says move, you will see thousands of Rivers people coming out to the street or coming out to the rally ground and say they are supporting him,” he said.
He added that the governor’s continued emphasis on peace and restraint has been a defining feature of his leadership style. “The only problem we have with Sim is this attitude of peace, peace, peace. Even if somebody is putting hands into your eyes, you will still say I’d like to put it,” he stated.
Sara-Igbe further claimed that during periods of political crisis, the governor had opportunities to take more aggressive action but chose restraint instead. “In the period of the crisis, there were opportunities to even jail the assembly members. He refused to do that,” he said.
He concluded by reiterating that Governor Fubara has consistently avoided confrontation despite ongoing political tensions. “If it were to be some of these people who are with Wike today, Wike cannot enter Port Harcourt. They will fight him not to enter Port Harcourt. But Sim refused. This young man has refused to fight you,” Sara-Igbe added….Read_More…