A Royal father in Rivers State, Alabo Samuel Daniel Annie- Stewart, has called on political actors to rally around Governor Siminalayi Fubara in the interest of peace, stability, and democratic integrity ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking with newsmen recently in Port-Harcourt against the backdrop of rising political tensions and realignments, Alabo Stewart urged politicians to place the survival of democracy above personal ambition, warning that acts of sabotage, institutional manipulation, or electoral desperation could endanger Rivers State’s fragile peace.
The monarch who is the Head of Chief Annie- Stewart War Canoe House, in Kiepirima group of houses, Opobo Kingdom, Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area, also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC), to uphold neutrality and transparency, stressing that credible elections remain the foundation of political legitimacy.
According to him, Governor Fubara’s calm leadership style and emphasis on governance rather than confrontation have helped stabilize the state’s political atmosphere, making unity around his administration both pragmatic and necessary.
Alabo Samuel Stewart, who is also a member of Opobo Council of Alapu, emphasized that political competition must not degenerate into hostility or institutional abuse, noting that Rivers State has suffered enough from prolonged political crises.
He called on all political bodies to work constructively with Governor Siminalayi Fubara, describing unity as the surest path to peace, economic growth, and electoral credibility.
The monarch further appealed to the election umpire to rise above partisan pressures and ensure that elections are conducted transparently and professionally.
“For decades, Rivers politics has been defined by intense rivalries that often produced instability rather than development. The warning against democratic sabotage is therefore a lesson drawn from experience.
“Governor Fubara’s tenure has been marked by restraint, consultation, and institutional respect, as in the case of qualities, rare in a political environment addicted to dominance and retaliation.
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“Unity does not silence opposition. Rather, it channels dissent through democratic processes. Sabotage, on the other hand, destroys institutions and leaves citizens poorer.
“INEC must recognize that neutrality is not optional; it is constitutional. Politicians must understand that desperation is not strategy.
“The choice before Rivers is clear: governance or gladiator in politics”, Alabo Samuel Stewart declared.
Meanwhile, the political strategist, and one- time Councilor representing the people of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Ward 2, in the LGA, enjoinedRivers electorate to stand their ground through their unflinching loyalty and unalloyed support to the second-term ambition of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Siminalayi Fubara come 2027 general elections in both the federal and sub- national for productive prosperous and progressive governance in the years ahead for their betterment.
He, however, used the opportunity to commend Governor Siminalayi Fubara on his wise and acceptable decision to defect from the People’s Democratic Party(PDP), to the ruling All Progressives Congress(APC) recently, describing his action as a welcome development, which, he said, is purely for the interest of Rivers people, which now connects the state directly to the government at the centre for the well-being of Rivers people.
Alabo Samuel Stewart also appealed to eligible voters in the state, to ensure that they form part of the ongoing voters registration and upgrading exercise for the realignment of their voters cards ahead of the forth- coming general elections, where they are expected to vote massively for President Bola Tinubu, Rivers Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and other APC candidates for their own good, for another four-year term.
