Suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has officially disbanded all political support structures associated with him, including the influential Simplified Movement, as part of efforts to solidify peace in the state following President Bola Tinubu’s intervention in the ongoing political crisis.
Fubara made the announcement on Saturday during a meeting with his political allies in Port Harcourt.
In attendance were his former Chief of Staff, Edison Ehie; ex-cabinet members; local government chairmen; and representatives of women, youth, and elders across the state.
Speaking to the group, Fubara described the move as a personal and political sacrifice in the broader interest of reconciliation and stability.
“The sacrifice for total peace will be heavy,” he declared.
“This is the time for me to prove that I care for you. I make a commitment here that whichever way it goes, I will not abandon anybody. But the sacrifice we must make to achieve total peace will be heavy, and I want everyone to prepare for it,” he buttressed.
The announcement came less than 24 hours after Tinubu hosted Fubara, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, and Rivers Assembly Speaker Martins Amaewhule in Abuja, where a landmark peace agreement was reached to quell the months-long political tension threatening the state’s governance and economic stability.
Addressing his supporters directly at the Simplified Movement headquarters, Fubara urged them to embrace the decision in good faith, declaring that the future of Rivers State now depended on unity and maturity.
“I cannot abandon you people,” he assured them, adding, “This is the time for me to prove that I care for you.”
Acknowledging the emotional weight of the moment, Fubara said the peace path may feel bitter, especially to his core supporters, but insisted it was necessary for the state’s development and healing.
He admitted that ongoing projects had suffered due to the crisis and expressed optimism that the new truce would allow for swift recovery in governance and service delivery.
Reflecting on his political rise, Fubara conceded that Wike’s contribution to his emergence as governor could not be denied despite their fallout.
**“Nobody can take away the role the FCT Minister, Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, played — that’s the truth. Yes, we might have our differences, but nobody can wish away the risks he took,” he said.
He called for continued loyalty from his supporters, urging them to rise above emotions and keep their focus on the bigger picture.
“If we believe we are one family and that our interest is to support the President, then what’s the issue?” he asked.
“If you say you’re with me, this is the time to prove it. Because it’s not even about me; it’s about the overall interest of the state.”
Ending his remarks with a metaphor from his roots, Fubara said:
“In my place, there’s a fish called Atabala — you call it Tilapia. The mother Tilapia tells the young ones, ‘If you want to grow as big as I am, you must hide your head in the mud.’ We’ve done our best. What we need now is peace so we can grow.”
