Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has drawn a bold contrast between his leadership style and the ruthless rule of Nebuchadnezzar, the Biblical king infamous for his harsh treatment of his subjects. Speaking on the heels of a letter of appreciation from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Fubara rejected the idea of governing with an iron fist, emphasizing instead that his leadership is motivated by love, compassion, and the desire to uplift the people of Rivers State.
“We are not running this government like the Babylonians, we are not Nebuchadnezzar,” Fubara said during a speech in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, where he had been invited to inaugurate a newly constructed Labour House by the administration of Governor Douye Diri. “We are running it with the Jesus style, where love leads the way. Where everything should be driven by love, from the front and behind.”
The governor’s remarks came amid ongoing discussions about the state of governance in Rivers, a state that has experienced political turbulence over the last year. Despite the mounting political pressures, including a bitter crisis that nearly tore the state apart in 2023, Fubara has doubled down on a people-centered approach to leadership.
A Moment of Reflection During Crisis
Fubara recounted a powerful personal moment that guided his thinking in late 2023. As tensions in the state escalated, and with his administration embroiled in political conflict, he recalled traveling to Abuja for talks aimed at resolving the crisis. During the journey, the governor found his mind constantly drifting toward the welfare of Rivers workers, who, like many others, were struggling under economic pressure.
“I began to think about what could be done to offer hope, and ease the burdens that our workers were facing. It was a defining moment for me,” he said. His response was swift and heartfelt—Governor Fubara decided to provide a Christmas bonus of N100,000 to every public sector worker in Rivers, a gesture extended across all government grade levels. The generosity was not limited to serving workers, either. In early 2024, Fubara also ensured that retirees were included in the bonus payout.
“I want every worker in Rivers to feel valued,” Fubara said. “If you motivate your workers, they will be more productive and committed to achieving the Rivers First mantra. That is the spirit of the government we are building.”
In his speech, Fubara linked his decision to broader principles of governance. “It is not that we are meeting all their needs, but we are putting a human face to governance,” he emphasized. “When I took office, I made a commitment to ensure that the welfare of our workers would be central to my administration’s priorities.”
Industrial Harmony and the Labor Movement
Fubara’s tenure has, by his own account, ushered in unprecedented industrial peace within Rivers State. After years of friction between workers and the state government, Fubara said that the relationship between the administration and organized labor has improved significantly. The recent recognition of his efforts by the NLC and TUC underscores this newfound harmony.
“We are not perfect,” Fubara admitted, “but our government has ensured that the needs of workers are addressed as much as possible, and that they are given a voice. We do not take these gestures for granted. I urge our labor partners to recognize this as a privilege and to protect it for the sake of continued unity.”
The relationship between workers and their leaders has been crucial for the state’s stability, Fubara said, adding that the bond of mutual respect and understanding formed between labor unions and the government is a model that should be embraced by other states in the region.
Tributes to a Hero of the South-South
While in Bayelsa, Fubara also paid tribute to the late Pa Edwin Clark, a political titan who had passed away shortly before the event. Clark, a statesman and elder statesman in the South-South, was widely regarded for his unwavering stance on regional issues and his fierce commitment to the unity and survival of the Niger Delta region.
Fubara, visibly moved, honored the late Clark’s legacy, highlighting the many ways in which he fought for the survival of the region. “We just observed a minute of silence for our hero,” Fubara said solemnly. “Pa Edwin Clark will forever be remembered for his courage, his truthfulness, and his relentless fight for the survival of our people.”
The governor’s admiration for Clark was clear, as he urged his political peers to learn from the elder statesman’s example. “History will not remember anyone for their destructive acts. The good people of Bayelsa and this region will forever remember those who did what was right.”
Fubara also took the opportunity to encourage Governor Douye Diri to continue the fight for what is right, noting that history rewards leaders who act with integrity, not those who seek to enrich themselves at the expense of their people.
Promoting Regional Unity
In line with his message of leadership rooted in integrity, Fubara assured the people of Bayelsa and Rivers that his administration was committed to fostering a robust relationship between the two states. He expressed confidence that the political and economic cooperation between the neighboring states would continue to flourish in the years ahead.
“We share common interests, common goals, and common values,” Fubara said. “It is my firm belief that by working together, our two states will continue to achieve even greater heights.”
Fubara’s comments come at a critical juncture for the Niger Delta region, which has long been plagued by political tension and economic struggles. As the region faces growing pressures from both within and outside, Fubara’s commitment to regional unity and people-centered leadership offers a hopeful vision for the future.
A Vision of Governance for All
Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s remarks have once again brought the conversation around governance to the forefront, with an emphasis on love, mutual respect, and the collective well-being of the people. As his administration progresses, it is clear that Fubara intends to govern Rivers not through fear or oppression but with a focus on nurturing the state’s greatest resource: its people.
Despite the challenges, Fubara has remained resolute in his vision for the future, echoing his earlier sentiments that “history will remember us for doing what is right.”
For many in Rivers and Bayelsa, this could mark the beginning of a new era, where love and integrity form the backbone of political leadership.
