Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has urged residents to embrace peace and unity as Nigeria marks its 66th Independence Anniversary, saying political differences must not come at the expense of the state’s development.

Siminalayi Fubara made the appeal in an Independence Day goodwill message issued on Thursday by his media aide, Onwuka Nzeshi.

Also read: Nigeria at 66: Kebbi Governor urges Nigerians to keep hope

The governor said the anniversary provided an opportunity for Nigerians to reflect on the country’s journey since independence in 1960 while renewing their commitment to peaceful coexistence.

For Rivers State, Fubara said peace remained particularly important because of the state’s ethnic and cultural diversity and its significance to Nigeria’s economy.

Rivers State is widely described as the country’s “treasure base” because of its major role in the oil and gas industry. Fubara said the state had historically benefited when its different communities lived and worked together in harmony.

The governor warned that meaningful economic and social development would be difficult to achieve in an atmosphere of political hostility, division and rancour.

“We may disagree as politicians, but we must never disagree on the peace and progress of Rivers State,” Siminalayi Fubara said.

The statement comes against the backdrop of years of intense political disagreements in Rivers State, including disputes involving political actors and competing interests within the state’s political establishment.

Fubara said political disagreements were a normal feature of democratic life but argued that those differences should not be allowed to damage the wider interests of Rivers residents.

Since taking office, the governor said his administration had made peace a central element of its approach to governance.

Fubara described peace as the most valuable form of infrastructure, arguing that stability creates the conditions necessary for investment, public works and broader economic activity.

He said the relative calm in the state had enabled his administration to attract investments and implement projects across Rivers State’s three senatorial districts.

The governor’s message also carried a direct appeal to groups with influence at community level.

Fubara called on youths, traditional rulers, political leaders and other stakeholders to act as ambassadors of peace in their communities, wards and local government areas.

He said no section of Rivers State would benefit from a return to crisis or prolonged political confrontation.

The governor also encouraged Rivers residents to support the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

According to Fubara, cooperation between the federal and state governments remains important to achieving the objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda and advancing development across the country.

The appeal comes as Nigeria marks 66 years of independence at a time of significant economic and political pressures.

President Tinubu, in his own Independence Day address, said his administration was moving from an initial period of economic reforms towards a phase focused on broader prosperity, jobs and lower living costs.

Against that national backdrop, Fubara’s message placed particular emphasis on stability at state level as a foundation for economic progress.

The governor said Rivers residents should draw on the country’s independence experience by strengthening their commitment to unity and peaceful coexistence.

For Fubara, the central message of the anniversary was that political differences should remain within democratic boundaries while the wider interests of Rivers State remain protected.

Also read: Nigeria at 66: Kebbi Governor urges Nigerians to keep hope

As Nigeria enters its 67th year as an independent nation, the Rivers governor urged citizens to preserve peace, support development and work collectively towards a more stable future.