NUJ To Fubara: Congrats, But It’s Time To Face Governance

Edith CHUKU

Excitement has trailed the affirmation of Sir Siminalayi Fubara by the Supreme Court as the duly elected Governor of Rivers State during the March 18, 2023 governorship election.         

Recall that the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress APC, Arc Tonye Cole, had filed a suit challenging the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, Fubara and the Peoples Democratic Party PDP of Nigeria, which was earlier dismissed by a tribunal for lacking merit. 

In her judgment on Thursday, the Apex court affirmed the election of Fubara as the governor of the State, dismissing the appeal filed by Cole.

The Nigeria Union of Journalists NUJ, Rivers State Council, has congratulated Fubara, describing the Supreme Court’s declaration as a confirmation of the people’s trust and mandate freely given to the governor.

NUJ in a statement made available to TNN by the Chairman, Mr Stanley Job Stanley and Secretary, Mr Ike Wigodo, expressed satisfaction that the judgment has finally put to rest the prolonged legal battle arising from the outcome of the governorship election in the state.

The union appealed to Fubara to be magnanimous in victory and also see his victory at the Apex court as a birthday gift to him and the good people of Rivers State, as his first birthday as a governor comes up on Sunday, January 28.        

While urging the governor not to be distracted by political opponents but to focus on delivering good governance to the people of the state, the statement also advised the opponents to accept the Supreme Court’s judgement in good faith and join hands with the government to move the state forward.                 

According to NUJ “We urge the people of Rivers State, especially the political class, to put all that happened during and after the elections in the state behind them and support the Siminilayi Fubara-led government to succeed and make Rivers State a better place for all.”               

The union assured Fubara and his government of its unwavering support in moving the State forward.