Siminalayi Fubara, the governor of Rivers state, has declared that his Opobo people are of Ijaw ethnic origin.
Fubara argued that he is a legitimate Ijaw son, insisting that the Opobo people are an intrinsic part of the history of the Ijaw struggle.
When he met with the Regent and other Kalabari Se Kobiri representatives at Government House in Port Harcourt on Friday, Fubara denied being a non-Ijaw.
He claimed that those who questioned his Ijaw ancestry were unaware of the history of the struggle that established Ijaw as a respectable class of people.
He said:
“So, whoever is feeding you with that information, should go back to their history classes. You cannot talk about the Ijaw struggle without the Opobo, the Bonny, and the Kalabari.
“We had our trade lines at that time and for you to occupy a trade line, it means you are a true Ijaw man. So, for the records, I am a full blooded, up to my bones, an Ijaw man.”
Fubara described the Ijaw people as “brave, courageous, and forthright,” noting that despite being exposed to horrible treatment, the Ijaw refused to be traded as slaves.
He emphasized that only God’s will would triumph in all circumstances, whether good or bad, winning or losing.
Fubara expressed his condolences to the Kalabari people on the death of their monarch, late King Theophilus J.T. Princewill, and assured them that the state government will actively participate in the burial activities.
The governor implored the people to put aside their differences and join together to offer the late king a proper funeral.
The regent of Kalabari kingdom, Dr. Charles Numbere Princewill, stated in his speech that they came to inform the governor that Theophilus J.T. Princewill, Amachree XI, The Amanyanabo and Natural Ruler of the Kalabari Kingdom, had died and to formally invite him to the funeral.
He thanked the governor for his previous assistance and asked for more.
Dr. Tammy Danagogo, Secretary to the Rivers State Government, said Fubara had shown immense love to the Kalabari people and was determined to affording a proper burial to their late Amanyanabo.