Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers State, says he does not “shout or complain” about the political tensions in the state because he believes God is with him.
Fubara spoke on Sunday during an interdenominational church service held to mark the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day.
The service took place at St Cyprian’s Anglican Church in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital.
After prayers were offered for Fubara and Ngozi Odu, deputy governor, the clerics invited the governor to address the congregation.
In a brief moment at the podium, Fubara asked Odu to step forward and deliver the address on his behalf.
The governor jokingly told worshippers that the service might turn out to be the final public engagement for him and his deputy.
He urged residents of the state to remain calm, assuring them that peace would return to Rivers.
“Let me say it here, where we were making the New Year dinner, I said that, ‘dogs bark when they don’t understand’,” the governor said.
“A lot of you don’t understand that the reason why I don’t shout or complain is that I know that I have what is supreme, that is God.
“I want everyone to be relaxed. What is important is peace for this dear state. We will get it by the special name of God.”
The remarks came days after members of the Rivers State House Of Assembly commenced impeachment proceedings against Fubara and Odu over allegations of “gross misconduct”.
The impeachment notice was endorsed by 26 lawmakers of the Rivers assembly.
Martins Amaewhule, speaker of the Rivers assembly, accused the governor and his deputy of actions he said posed a threat to democracy.
Amaewhule also criticised Fubara for allegedly failing to present the state budget in accordance with constitutional requirements.