Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has said Nigeria needs strong institutions, not strong individuals to grow and sustain democracy and good governance.
Fubara made this statement at the opening of the re-dedication service for the opening of the 2024/2025 New Legal Year at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul’s Diobu (Garrison), Port Harcourt on Thursday.
He urged members of the bench to remain courageous in upholding the truth, despite threats of physical assaults and frivolous petitions.
He urged members of the bench to remain courageous in upholding the truth, despite threats of physical assaults and frivolous petitions.
He praised the Rivers State Judiciary, especially the High Court of the State, for their support in keeping his administration afloat.
He noted that what the country needs desperately is institutional strength, not strong individuals; berating judges he considered their actions unprofessional.
He warned that if the judges fail in their responsibility to uphold truth as “gods” they are, they will have a big question to answer later.
Governor Fubara noted that Rivers State belongs to everyone, warning that the institutions in the state must not be destroyed so as not to set a dangerous precedent.
“Institutional strength is the only thing that will bring development to this nation.
“If I were a businessman coming to invest in Nigeria, why would I do so when I see that institutions are weak and individuals are stronger than the institutions?”
“We are aware that a good number of you have been threatened through phone calls and even physical assaults.
“We also know that some of you have faced professional threats through false and frivolous petitions,” he said.