Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his commitment to peace and security in the state, pledging that he would not support, directly or indirectly, any action capable of endangering lives and property.
Governor Fubara gave the assurance on Saturday while speaking as Special Guest at the grand finale of the week-long 2026 NPA Port Harcourt International Polo Tournament held in Port Harcourt.
He said the protection of lives and property remained the foremost responsibility of his administration, stressing that he was still firmly in charge as governor and focused on delivering on the promises made to the people of Rivers State.
“What is important is that I am still the Governor of Rivers State, and we will continue to do what we have promised the Rivers people,” he said.
The governor expressed satisfaction that the 2026 polo tournament was conducted without any incident, describing the peaceful atmosphere throughout the week as clear evidence that Rivers State is safe for residents, visitors and investors.
“I am happy that you had your tournament for one week and there was no incident. It shows that we are working and that Rivers State is safe. That is the basic responsibility of government,” Fubara stated.
He, however, lamented the recurring political crises in the state, noting that they had coincided with the annual polo tournament over the past three years. According to him, the timing of the crises had been unfortunate and disruptive, but would not distract his administration from its core responsibilities.
Despite the political challenges, Governor Fubara assured that his government would continue to function effectively and support individuals and groups genuinely committed to the progress and development of Rivers State.
He also promised that the state government would work towards improving the status of the Port Harcourt Polo Club, which he described as having one of the best natural grass polo pitches in the country.
The governor encouraged guests, polo players and foreign participants to enjoy the serenity of Port Harcourt and help counter negative narratives about the state by sharing positive and accurate accounts of their experiences.
“For me, the life and property of everybody living and doing business here is the most important thing. I will not for any reason support directly or indirectly any act that will endanger the life of anyone,” he said.
The President of Port Harcourt Polo Club, Mr. Henry Prince Agbodjan, thanked Governor Fubara for attending the grand finale of the tournament and noted that the smooth conclusion of the weeklong event was a testament to the security in the state.
The President’s Cup was won by Dr. Emi Membere-Otaji’s Port Harcourt Elschcon Polo Team.
The grand finale attracted several dignitaries, including the Argentine Ambassador to Nigeria, with polo teams from across Nigeria as well as India and Argentina participating in the international tournament.
