Blessing Fubara Declares for Rivers Governorship, Promises Peace, Prosperity and Four-Year Tenure

The political scene in Rivers State witnessed another significant development on Thursday as Ambassador Blessing Fubara Senior, the elder brother of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, formally announced his intention to contest the governorship election under the platform of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC).

The governorship aspirant pledged to serve only a single four-year term if elected.
According to him, Rivers State requires urgent political and economic reconstruction following months of crisis and uncertainty.
Addressing supporters ahead of the party’s primary election, he said: “We have lost opportunities. We have lost investments. We have lost our dignity as a people. We have lost our pride as Rivers people.”
His declaration introduces a new dimension to the ongoing political realignments in the state, where issues surrounding power rotation, governance and party structures have remained at the centre of public discussions.
Fubara stressed that maintaining the state’s zoning arrangement is essential for political balance and stability, insisting that the Rivers South-East Senatorial District should be allowed to complete its turn in office.
“We have vowed to you to keep the peaceful existence of the political rotation of River States according to our founding fathers by our districts. The River Southeast Senatorial District must complete their 8-year tenure,” he stated.
In a move aimed at reassuring stakeholders concerned about prolonged political control, he promised to spend only one term in office if elected governor.
“Therefore, I have vowed to do just a 4-year one-term tenure to bring the expected prosperity and development in River State,” he said.
The aspirant also cautioned against any attempt to alter the zoning arrangement, warning that such a decision could have serious implications for the state’s political future.
“It is of pertinent reasoning for us to understand that it sets a very wrong and dangerous precedent if we alter the senatorial rotation of our leadership and governance in the state,” he added.
While acknowledging the influence of political power brokers in the state, Fubara maintained that true political strength lies with the people rather than financial resources.
“We might not challenge the financial capacity that they have, but we know that we have the people, so we are richer in capacity,” he declared.
He further urged supporters across the 23 local government areas of Rivers State to mobilise for the party’s primary election, describing it as an opportunity to restore the state’s political and economic standing.
“Today, we see a River State that is distressed. Today, we see a River State that is shortchanged. Today, we see a River State that seems almost like a conquered state. No, we are not a conquered people,” he said.
The governorship hopeful also appealed to another unnamed contender in the race, whom he referred to as his “elder brother,” to step aside and support what he described as a people-driven movement.
“I urge you to rather step down and support the call of the people, the uprising of the people for us to take back our dear state and restore a prosperous and progressive state for all,” he said.
Fubara maintained that, if elected, his administration would prioritise restoring peace, attracting investments and rebuilding public confidence in governance across Rivers State.