Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has called for national support for President Bola Tinubu’s efforts to drive Nigeria towards economic growth.

Speaking at a meeting with the House of Representatives Committee on Reformatory Institutions, led by Chairman Chinedu Ogah, at the Government House in Port Harcourt on Monday, July 15, Fubara emphasized the importance of unity and collective action.

“Let me thank you, more especially for coming to see us. Let me, on behalf of the Government and the good people of Rivers State, assure you that you have not made any mistake,” Fubara said, according to a statement by his spokesperson, Nelson Chukwudi.

“You have done the right thing, and you have taken the right step. I believe that by the end of your visit, you are going to come up with recommendations that are going to help us solve some of these problems.”

Fubara stressed the need for nationwide cooperation to ensure the success of Tinubu’s administration. “In all, we all have to put hands together to support this administration of our President. Nigeria is a very big and complex society; different ideologies, multi-cultural beliefs, social differences, but we are all here as one because of the flag of Nigeria,” he said. “If Nigeria succeeds, we all succeed. And Nigeria will only succeed when we support the President. If Nigeria fails, everybody fails.”

The governor also highlighted the interconnected nature of success between the national and state levels, stating, “The sub-nationals, like Rivers State, and any other state will also fail. You can’t succeed just as a state. Your success must be extended to the centre.”

Additionally, Governor Fubara called for the expeditious investigation and trial of suspects to alleviate prison overcrowding across the country. He urged the Nigeria Police Force and the judiciary to ensure their institutions function effectively in achieving the desired outcomes of decongesting correctional centres and dispensing justice.

“I know that the state government, from time to time, through the Chief Judge, had visited the Correctional Centres, and after evaluation, granted bail or pardon to some inmates,” Fubara noted. He pointed out that delays in the judicial process contribute significantly to overcrowding in correctional facilities.

“Most of these issues that we are talking about; overcrowding of the Correctional Centres, might be due to delay in the trial of their cases. That is the truth.”

He emphasized the need for efficient functioning of the police and judiciary to address these issues, stating, “You arrest somebody wrongfully or whatever, and the process of investigation takes two, three, four years. So, we need to make sure that our institutions are functioning effectively.”

Governor Fubara concluded by expressing hope that current discussions and complaints would lead to prompt actions and improvements. “Now that we are saying it, I believe they are hearing, and they will expedite action to make sure that some of these things are put to check,” he added.