Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has said he resisted pressure from his supporters to challenge the emergency rule declared by President Bola Tinubu in the state, stressing that his decision was guided by the need to preserve peace, stability, and progress for the people.
Fubara made this known on Friday during a statewide broadcast following his return to the state after the expiration of the six-month emergency rule.
The governor, his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, and his Chief of Staff, Edison Ehie, arrived at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, on Thursday, two days after President Tinubu lifted the emergency rule and ordered their reinstatement. Their aircraft, with registration number 5N-BTX, touched down at 12:15 pm to a heroic reception by supporters, including prominent former commissioners and political allies.
President Tinubu had, on Wednesday, announced the end of the emergency rule, which saw ex-naval chief Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.) serve as sole administrator of the state.
Rivers had been embroiled in one of Nigeria’s fiercest political crises, pitting Fubara against his predecessor and current FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike. Their fallout led to a split in the House of Assembly, impeachment moves, protests, and violence, including the burning of the Assembly complex.
Although Tinubu brokered a peace deal, tensions persisted until the declaration of emergency rule. With its lifting, the governor said he deliberately chose not to challenge its constitutionality.
“As your governor, I accepted to abide by the state of emergency declaration and chose to cooperate with Mr President and the National Assembly, guided by my conviction that the sacrifice was not too great to secure peace, stability, and progress of Rivers State. This was why I resisted the pressure to challenge the constitutionality of the declaration,” Fubara said.
He described the period as “enormously challenging” but expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for mediating reconciliation between him, Wike, and members of the Assembly.
“Our leader, Nyesom Wike, all members of Rivers State House of Assembly, and I, as your governor, have all accepted to bury the hatchet and embrace peace in the best interest of our dear state,” he added.
The governor also reassured Rivers residents that the peace process remains genuine, even as he acknowledged concerns about inclusivity.
“Nothing has been irretrievably lost. There remain ample opportunities for adjustments, continued reconciliation, and inclusiveness,” he assured.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State House of Assembly, resuming plenary on Thursday after six months, urged Fubara to submit commissioner-nominees for screening and forward the 2025 Appropriation Bill for consideration.
Fubara, who later addressed supporters at the Government House, promised to focus fully on governance and service delivery, while thanking Rivers people for their steadfast support during the crisis.
Notably, no prominent politician loyal to Minister Nyesom Wike was present at the airport to welcome the governor.
