KEY POINTS

• Fubara says his calm posture during Rivers’ political crisis was a deliberate strategy to maintain peace.
• He acknowledged supporters’ sacrifices and urged them to remain loyal and patient.
• The governor described his perceived weakness as a leadership virtue that will eventually produce results.

Governor Siminalayi Fubara has revealed that his calm and seemingly subdued approach during the political turmoil in Rivers State was a conscious decision aimed at preserving peace and protecting broader national interests.

Speaking in Lagos while receiving the Man of the Year 2025 award from New Telegraph, the governor said his posture should not be mistaken for incapacity, but rather understood as a strategic sacrifice to prevent escalation of tensions.

At the ceremony held at Oriental Hotel, Fubara acknowledged that his supporters have borne what he described as “special pain” because of their loyalty to him during the crisis.

He urged them not to lose faith, stressing that their patience and trust would eventually be rewarded.

According to him, restraint is sometimes necessary in leadership, especially when stability and unity are at stake.

‘Weakness is a virtue’ — Fubara

Explaining further, the governor stated that his decision to appear politically weak was intentional and rooted in a desire to safeguard both state and national interests. He argued that measured responses often achieve more lasting results than aggressive confrontation.

He reassured followers that his strategy would yield positive outcomes in due time, adding that what many interpret as weakness can, in reality, be a powerful virtue when used wisely.

The award was presented by veteran journalist and former Ogun State governor Olusegun Osoba, with support from Orji Uzor Kalu, chairman of the newspaper’s board, and Dauda Lawal. The event drew prominent political figures, media executives, and dignitaries from across the country.