Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has vowed that no amount of intimidation, blackmail and deliberate sabotage will make him surrender his mandate.

The governor said though his administration is in trying times, the state, under his watch, will not suffer neglect. He promised to serve, protect and advance the fortunes of the state.

Fubara stated this, yesterday, while declaring open the 115 and 116 combined Quarterly General Meeting of Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, in Port Harcourt.

Recall that the administration of Fubara has allegedly suffered undue interference by his Godfather, the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

The rancour between the duo became public on October 29 and 31 when the hallowed chamber of the state Assembly was burnt, leading to the emergence of two speakers, one Edison Ehie and his supporters loyal to Fubara, as well as Martins Amaehule with his followers loyal to Wike. The drama has continued unabated.

Speaking, yesterday, Fubara reaffirmed his commitment to serve with humility, sincerity of purpose and accountability.

He said: “I assure you that I will not fail in this responsibility nor will I surrender our mandate and progress to intimidation, blackmail and deliberate sabotage. I reaffirm my earlier statement and recommit myself to the path of peace, as there is nothing to gain in a state of needless crisis.”

Fubara said drastic measures will be taken to strengthen education, healthcare and social services across the state so that no part, including the rural areas, will be left behind.

In advancing these human capital development efforts, the governor said the 2024 budget of the state will prioritise and provide sufficient funding to create universal access to affordable and quality education, as well as healthcare services in Rivers State.

“We will also take deliberate steps to unlock the entrepreneurial spirit among our teeming unemployed youths through viable initiatives on skills development, entrepreneurship training and targeted investments in commercial agriculture.”

In a statement by his Special Assistant on media, Boniface Onyedi, Fubara urged traditional rulers to be upright and royal fathers of integrity, who do not compromise their neutrality.

He also enjoined them to be courageous to speak truth to power so that they do not lose their moral authority and legitimacy before their people.