Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara has reiterated his commitment to People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Gov. Fubara who stated this today while receiving in audience PDP youth forum, cautioned Nigerian politicians to drive partisan differences and conflicts with a limit to guard against compromising the unity and soul of one Nigeria.
Addressing a delegation of the PDP Youth Forum led by its national Chairman, Jamilu Ali Kalshingi, who visited him in Government House, Port Harcourt, today, Sunday, January 19, 2025, pledged unwavering support to Gov. Fubara as the party leader in the State against dissenting members.
According to the governor, there can’t be politics without a country, so no political or partisan interest is worth sacrificing the soul of the country for, just as he maintained that his administration remains PDP.
He told the PDP youths, “I appeal to everyone. Inasmuch as we are trying to come together to ensure our party regain its pride of place, it will also be proper we don’t burn the house we have, and that house I mean is the country.
The governor noted that everyone must work together to protect the country and Keep aside ethnic and religious differences as the success of the country will translate to the success of everyone, adding “It doesn’t matter the language, the colour or where you are found; what is important is for all to come together.”
He said, “When it comes to politics our differences will come but we must make sure the soul of the country survives. So we must come together and work as one. Some people may call it one Nigeria, we must therefore believe in one Nigeria, not sectional Nigeria.”
Acknowledging the youths solidarity with him in his fight to keep the state ruling party safe and unmatched by the opposition, the governor emphasised, “I understand the enthusiasm of everyone of you. You want to see our party regain its pride of place in the affairs of things in the country.
“It’s the right desire. And if we have to get it done, those things that needed to be put in proper places must first be done by us as a party. Unfortunately we find ourselves in a situation where we are putting the cart before the horse rather than the other way round. So it’s a problem.”
According to him, “When the youths have decided to take this very serious issue into their hands, I believe elders of the party at this point will understand it is important for us to look into the issues affecting the growth and unity of our party.”
On how he is surmounting the forces of disintegration of the party, the governor said, they are doing their best in the state to ensure the true soul of the party is kept alive as they remain the unadulterated and true members of the party in the State.
“We have some sects who might claim they’re PDP or what they call themselves, A-PDP, but we remain the PDP. And we are doing everything to remain standing.”
Fubara also commended the PDP Youth Forum for their moves to reposition the party, saying if they had started the move earlier, the party wouldn’t have derailed so much, but however expressed optimism that it is better late than never, and assured of supporting the Forum to succeed in their efforts to work for the peace and growth of the party.
In his speech, the PDP Youth Forum Chairman, Jamilu Ali Kalshingi, shared with the governor, the joy of the recent court judgment in favour of Rivers State on the election of the LGA chairmen and the nullification of the purported PDP congress.
“That victory is not only for you and Rivers State but also for Nigeria, the youths, and the PDP. We are also informed about the struggles, hard work, and round-the-clock efforts you have been making to salvage this party. I believe you are not doing this for yourself but for the future of Nigerians and the youths.
Kalshingi noted that the common man in Nigeria believes that only the PDP has the magic wand to save the country, which informed their not relenting in order to rescue and restore the party to order as it remains the future of Nigeria.
He assured Gov. Fubara of their support and encouragement to continue to join others to fight for the soul of the PDP and further commended the governor for not being distracted in spite of all the political crises, sabotage, and interferences in Rivers State he has remained focused and delivering good governance and prioritizing the interests of the party.
Also speaking the Secretary of the Forum, Mr. Brown Odey said that youth leaders in the party have taken cognizance of Gov. Fubara’s transformative efforts which is an encouragement to the party and pride to the Nigerian youths.
He said the party must do the right thing as it applies to other States, and expressed delight that the new caretaker Committee of the Party in Rivers State has duly recognized the Governor as it ought to be as the leader of the party and assured him of their support always.
