By Bonaventure Phillips Melah

The decision of River State Governor, His Excellency, Sir Siminaiye Fubara, not to contest the 2027 governorship election, has continued to be on the front burner of political discuss and debates in Nigeria; and the reason is quite understandable.

Fubara contested for the office of governor of River State and won the election. He was subsequently sworn-in May 29, 2023. His administration was however suspended from office March 2025 following the declaration of State of Emergency by President Bola Tinubu. The President took the action, in response to political crisis among stakeholders in the State, particularly the Governor and his predecessor/Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. Tinubu said the crisis had threatened the peace of River State and disrupted governance. The President therefore established an emergency rule.

Following the President’s intervention, a truce was reached between the warring parties and civil governance was restored September 2025.

It later became clear thereafter, that some people in Abuja and back home in Port Harcourt were determined to resume hostilities against Fubara and his administration. They made it clear that Fubara must not contest the 2027 election. The mindset was not only provocative, but an affront to the Governor’s constitutional rights. The actions and pronouncements of the political gladiators as well as the body language of the State Assembly showed that they were ready for another war. This time, on a wider scale.

As the Chief Security officer of River State; and in whose hands the people encrusted their peace, security and wellbeing for four years, Fubara was left with two options- Take up the fight again and let ‘Rome Burn’ or take the painful part of sacrifice.

The options were as terrible as the ones given to the biblical woman in 1 Kings 3: 16-28 when King Solomon wanted the two women to decide whether he should divide the disputed child in two parts. While the first woman said ‘divide him’ the second woman, said “Let the child live.” Instead of watching her own child being slaughtered, she said the King should give her child to the troublesome woman.

So Fubara decided that, rather than watch River State be burned down, it was batter to give up his political ambition so that the people may enjoy peace.

Early indications of what Fubara would do came September 19, 2025, when the Governor said that the costliest peace is cheaper than the cheapest war, adding that no sacrifice is too great to secure peace, stability, and progress of Rivers State.
He said this in a statewide broadcast, signaling his resumption for duty, following the end of the emergency rule. He urged the people to put the incident behind them and renewed his commitment towards ensuring that everybody work together with renewed hope and determination to build a stronger, more peaceful and prosperous Rivers State.

“Despite the turbulence, you are aware of the credible milestones our administration achieved in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and other key sectors over the last two years. Our immediate responsibility is to return to the path of governance and development by completing the projects which we started by ensuring none of them is starved of funds or neglected, thereby reviving our economy, protecting lives and property, and improving the wellbeing of all Rivers people,” Fubara stated.

Many people thought that his statement was a political rhetoric, expecting that the Governor was ready to return to the trenches when the time comes. But Fubara kept his words, to make whatever sacrifice(s) necessary to keep and maintain the peace, for the sake of his people and River State.

As the momentum for the 2027 general election built up, Fubara listened to his inner spirit and decided to step down his political ambition, by agreeing not to contest the River State governorship election which by all human calculations and reasoning, he had the right of first refusal.

By agreeing to step down from the contest, Fubara disappointed many people. Among those who are currently angry with Fubara are his genuine supporters and loyalists. Others, perhaps, the majority, are clap-trappers, hypocrites, parasites, political necromancers and vultures, both from within and outside River State who wanted him to ‘fight to finish’ mostly for their selfish interest. But Fubara knew, as they say, when two elephants fight, the grass would suffer.

Although Fubara has explained, even severally, that his decision to relinquish his political ambition was for the peace of River State, many people have failed to see reason with him. Therefore, they call him all manner of derogatory names, including coward, woman governor and others.

The reason is clear- what Fubara did, the decision he took; is not easily comprehensible by any human mind.

But that also show the level of ignorance being exhibited by the noise outside Fubara’s heart; those who do not understand the bruises of war, who are ignorant of quietness and the peace that Fubara has achieved by that his singular decision- The peace that passes all understandings.

It was Chuck Palahniuk who told us that- “We have no scar to show for happiness. We learn so little from peace;” just as Baba Hari Dass proclaimed that “No one can give us peace. We can’t buy or borrow it. We have to cultivate it by practicing it.” That’s what Fubara has done.

I read Martin Luther King Jr long ago that when he said that “It is no longer a choice, my friends, between violence and nonviolence. It is either nonviolence or nonexistence.”

To deepen it more, Fubara said he has purged his heart of all grudges and to move on, maybe to demonstrate his agreement with Jonathan Lockwood Huie who told us to “Forgive others, not because they deserve forgiveness, but because you deserve peace.’

It is also possible that Fubara is a student of Roy T. Benneth, author of the famous book- ‘The Light in the Heart’ who said “Learning to distance yourself from all the negativity is one of the greatest lessons to achieve inner peace.” That may be the reason the River State Governor has decided to distance himself from all those beating the drums of war around him by making it clear to them that he is no longer interested in dancing to their tunes. Because in life, hearing negatives can have profound impact, including affecting our mental health and emotional wellbeing; whereas adopting a right attitude can convert negative stress into a positive one.

According to Epictetus, it is not every expectation that turns out the way we want. He said- “Don’t hope that events will turn out the way you want. Welcome events in whichever way they happen: this is the path to peace.”

It is the absence of such inner illumination that birthed the ‘do or die politics’ that has become the greatest danger in Nigeria today. Most Nigerian politicians would see what has happened to Fubara as the end of the world. The reason that Nigerian politicians believe that holding on to power is like life itself. They do not agree when told that political power is transient and that it comes and goes. Therefore, Nigerian politicians go to whatever length, to attain and maintain political power, to the extent that majority of them are ready to sacrifice their wives, sons, daughters, mothers and even some years of their lives, to the devil, in order to gain and sustain political power.

But Fubara, like former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, chose to sacrifice his personal ambition to safeguard the lives of his people. Posterity would forever remember Jonathan’s historic declaration that ‘My political ambition is not worth the blood of any citizen.” Therefore, March 31st 2015, Jonathan made that call to opposition candidate Muhammadu Buhari, conceded defeat and congratulated Buhari.

But make no mistake about it. Fubara is not finished yet. An Accountant by training, he has first degree in business education, postgraduate degree in Accounting, MSc in Finance and MBA from the Business School of the University of Port Harcourt. He served River State in various capacities, rising through the ranks to become Director of Finance and Accounts; Permanent Secretary and Accountant General of the state from December 2020 to May 2022.

As Governor of River State, Fubara has distinguished himself with a performance that has been marked by significant achievements in infrastructure development, economic revitalization, and community engagement. Under his leadership, River State has seen the completion of major projects like the Port Harcourt Dual Carriage Ring Road; and the Trans- Kalabari road; among many others, thereby enhancing connectivity and economic opportunities. His administration has also focused on healthcare improvement, including the construction of new hospitals; remodeling and completion of the 105-bed Omoku zonal hospital. He has as well, implemented initiatives to attract investments and boost tourism, demonstrating remarkable commitment to serve the people as well as foster sustainable growth.

By the choice he made, Fubara’s tenure would come to an end May 29, 2027 and someone else would take over from him. Thereafter, everything is in favour of Fubara including age and posterity. Let me just leave it at that.

Bonaventure Phillips Melah, an Abuja based journalist and author, is the Founder of First Green White Resource Centre, Facilitators of Nigeria’s Pride Awards 08036062975 email: bonamelah123@gmail.com