Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has shed light on why he refrained from opposing the emergency rule declared in the state by President Bola Tinubu, despite mounting pressure from his supporters to do so.
Speaking during a statewide broadcast on Friday after his return to office, Fubara said he chose peace and stability over confrontation, believing it was the right sacrifice to make for the progress of Rivers State.
“As your governor, I accepted to abide by the state of emergency declaration and chose to cooperate with Mr. President and the National Assembly. The sacrifice was not too great to secure peace, stability, and progress for our dear state. This was why I resisted the pressure to challenge the constitutionality of the declaration,” Fubara said.
The governor returned to Rivers State alongside his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, and the Chief of Staff, Edison Ehie, two days after President Tinubu lifted the emergency rule and ordered their reinstatement.
Their aircraft, with number 5N-BTX, landed at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, at 12:15 p.m. on Wednesday, where they were received to a rousing welcome by jubilant supporters and prominent political associates.
Among those present were former Commissioner for Information, Emma Okah; former Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh; former Nigerian Ambassador to the Netherlands, Orji Ngofa; former Commissioner for Environment, Sydney Gbara; former factional Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Victor Oko-Jumbo; and several former council chairmen and political leaders.
President Tinubu had, on Wednesday, formally announced the end of the six-month emergency rule that saw Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.) serve as the state’s sole administrator.
Rivers State has experienced one of Nigeria’s most intense political crises in recent history, with Fubara locked in a bitter battle with his predecessor and current FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, over control of state structures.
The dispute led to a split in the State Assembly, impeachment moves, street protests, and the burning of the Assembly complex.
Although Tinubu’s earlier peace deal failed to calm tensions, the declaration of emergency rule eventually restored order.
On Thursday, the Rivers State House of Assembly held its first plenary session after six months, presided over by Speaker Martins Amaewhule. Lawmakers called on the governor to submit a list of commissioner-nominees for screening and forward the 2025 Appropriation Bill for consideration.
In his broadcast, Fubara expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for mediating between him, Wike, and other political actors, describing the reconciliation as a step toward lasting peace.
“Our leader, Nyesom Wike, members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, and I have all agreed to bury the hatchet and embrace peace and reconciliation in the best interest of our state,” Fubara said, while assuring residents that no irreversible damage had been done during the crisis.
He urged political leaders, stakeholders, and institutions to work together to sustain the peace and allow his administration to refocus on governance and service delivery.
Upon his arrival at the Government House, Port Harcourt, Fubara was greeted by jubilant crowds, musical bands, and excited workers.
The governor inspected offices and facilities in the seat of power, expressing appreciation for the warm reception and pledging that his bond with Rivers people “remains unbroken.”
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