Siminialayi Fubara, the Governor of Rivers State, has vowed to protect justice in the state with his “last breath.” Speaking at the 2024/2025 legal year service held at the Anglican Communion in Port Harcourt on Thursday, Fubara underscored the need to strengthen institutions to reduce the influence of politicians and individuals on governance.

The governor emphasized that building strong institutions is key to national development, highlighting the challenges of investing in a country where institutions are weak and individuals hold more power. “Institutional strength is the only thing that will bring development to this country,” Fubara said.

He warned that weakening institutions today would lead to continuous instability when new leaders come into power. “This state belongs to all of us… if this institution is destroyed, when another person comes in tomorrow, it is the same thing that will happen,” he added.

Fubara urged the judiciary to maintain integrity, stressing that judges must resist political influence and uphold justice. He criticized legal professionals who twist the law to serve political interests, warning that such actions would face divine judgment. “Judges, you are the God that we are seeing. Your position is to stand and defend us,” Fubara said.

Rivers State has been experiencing political turmoil in recent months due to a power struggle between Fubara and Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former governor of the state. This ongoing battle for control of the political structure has further intensified the state’s political climate.