Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, during the launch of the 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Emblem Appeal Fund, stated that certain individuals appear to be acting against the interests of the state, suggesting they aimed to create a difficult situation, likening it to experiencing a “black Christmas.”
Gatekeepers News reports that Fubara said this while addressing concerns regarding a court order that prohibits financial allocations to the state.
The court order in question was issued by a federal high court in Abuja, which has restrained the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from disbursing funds to Rivers State.
The ruling, delivered by Judge Joyce Abdulmalik, mandates that financial resources from the federation account should not be allocated to the state until a lawful appropriation act is approved by a validly constituted House of Assembly.
This legal challenge was initiated by the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Martins Amaewhule. The judge asserted that Governor Fubara had made a mistake by presenting the 2024 Appropriation Bill to a House that was deemed not properly constituted, consisting of only five members.
The decision has drawn criticism from various quarters, including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, who warned that such judicial actions could potentially destabilise the state.
Despite these challenges, Governor Fubara emphasised that his administration remains committed to prioritising the needs of its citizens and fulfilling its obligations to them.
The Governor said he will continue to protect Rivers state from “those who plot daily to cause chaos and widespread disaffection” among the people.
“Some persons who have decided to be enemies of this state wanted us to experience a black Christmas,” he said.
“But because we are determined to make sure that the interest of Rivers state should be the first thing, we were able, not easily, but to meet our obligations as a government.
“And today, I can say boldly that our civil servants are happy, even in the face of all the propaganda that the state’s allocation fell under one bridge.
“But we are now the first state that did not just make the promise but have lived up to that promise. Today, civil servants that were collecting N70,000 are jubilating with N120,000 and N140,000.
“What is the greatest joy any government can achieve? You might do some projects, but the most important thing is the happiness that you leave in the hearts of people.
“People will forget that Sir Dr. Peter Odili built this banquet hall, but they won’t forget the story of when they couldn’t pay their children’s school fees because of poor salary.
“But with their salary now improved, they will always remember that, and say look, if not for that government, this my son wouldn’t have been a graduate; if not for that salary, this my son would not be a lawyer; he will not be a judge; he will not be an engineer.
“So, the most important thing is making sure that Rivers people are first in everything we do.”
Speaking on the emblem, Fubara recalled the excitement he and his siblings felt as children of a military officer when they saw their mother return from such events as a widow.
He said no amount of money donated would be enough to compensate for the services rendered by war veterans who ensured the protection of the country’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and unity.
The governor launched the emblem with N40 million on behalf of the state government while expressing appreciation to all supporters of his administration.
