Rivers State Governor, Siminilaye Fubara, can now breathe a sigh of relief as the Labour Party withdraws its petition against his victory in the 2023 election, putting an end to the post-election litigation that had cast doubt on his mandate. Fubara, currently engaged in a power struggle with the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, over control of the state’s political machinery, faced a significant challenge to his legitimacy with the Labour Party’s petition.
The Labour Party and its governorship candidate, Beatrice Itubo, contested Fubara’s victory as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the March 18 election at the Appeal Court in Lagos. However, the appellate court dismissed the petition, affirming Fubara’s win. In a recent development, Itubo announced the party’s decision not to pursue further legal action against the Governor.
Speaking to Channels Television in her Ogbakiri country home of Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State on Saturday, December 16, 2023, Itubo emphasized that the state’s interests take precedence over individual expectations. She stated, “Because of the current happenings in River State, we feel that the interests of the state are far more paramount than every one of our expectations or feelings.”
Acknowledging the need for peace and good governance, Itubo called for unity, urging all Rivers residents to support Fubara’s government for the development of the state. She stated, “And so we looked at the whole scenario and we said ‘Enough is enough. Let us go back and ask our lawyers to withdraw the suit so that we can join hands with the present government to see how we can move the state forward.’”
Itubo reiterated her commitment to the Labour Party but stressed the importance of putting the interests of the state first. She encouraged well-meaning Rivers indigenes to rally behind Fubara’s administration for the overall progress of the state. Despite her decision to cease legal action, she affirmed her party allegiance, stating, “And we need the dividends of democracy here in Rivers State. And so we are saying, yeah, we cannot continue to fight. The Bible says there’s a time to fight and a time to stop fighting. And I think this is the time to stop fighting.”
Recent developments suggest a potential collaboration between Itubo and Fubara amid the ongoing political upheaval in the oil-rich state. Itubo, who had earlier vowed to pursue the election petition to the highest level, has now pledged support for Fubara, signaling a shift in the political dynamics as the state aims for stability and development.
