The National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ini Ememobong, has revealed that Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, played a decisive role in calming tensions during the prolonged political crisis in the state.
Speaking on Channels Television’s *Morning Brief* on Thursday, December 11, Ememobong said the governor consistently discouraged his supporters and party leaders from escalating the conflict, choosing dialogue and restraint over confrontation.
“In that whole period, he discouraged people from fighting further,” Ememobong said. “A lot of the commentators who were coming out, including those attending the fair, kept asking what the position was. But he would always say he would sort the matter out.”
He explained that many PDP leaders, including governors, took their cues from Fubara, avoiding actions that might complicate the governor’s strategy.
“You cannot cry more than the bereaved at the funeral so that it won’t become suspicious,” he noted.
“The PDP governors took their positions, they aired their positions, they took steps but the steps you’re taking are in furtherance of the person’s interest. You can’t file a case and then the person will tell you, ‘I didn’t ask you to; you’re complicating my issues for me.’”
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According to Ememobong, the party’s cautious approach reflected Fubara’s preference for de-escalation rather than conflict.
“When he was ready to fight, everyone fought alongside him,” he added. “Look at the local government election; he had all the support from everywhere. Even when the state authorities were attempting to push him back, you saw how Nigerians supported him and fought back.”
Ememobong explained that supporters were reluctant to act aggressively unless Fubara clearly signaled readiness to confront his opponents.
“In a circumstance where you are not fighting from the front and you’re asking people to backtrack, then people think fighting further will hurt your interest,” he said. “And since they love you, they also heed to you.”
He concluded that allies and supporters took their direction from the governor’s measured stance, prioritising his long-term stability and strategic interests over immediate political confrontation.