Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, on Friday resumed duties after the lifting of the six-month emergency rule in the state, reaffirming his loyalty to President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
In his first statewide broadcast, Fubara described the emergency period as “enormously challenging,” noting that he resisted the pressure to contest its constitutionality in court in the interest of peace.
“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 no sacrifice was too great to secure peace, stability, and progress of Rivers State,” he said.
The governor praised President Tinubu for brokering reconciliation with all parties involved in the political crisis. “Our Leader, His Excellency, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON, all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and I, as your Governor, have all accepted to bury the hatchet and embrace peace and reconciliation in the best interest of our dear Rivers State,” he added.
Fubara assured Rivers people that his administration would now focus on governance and development, vowing to complete ongoing projects in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and other sectors. He also pledged to work harmoniously with the State House of Assembly to “recover lost grounds and accelerate the social and economic advancement of our dear State.”
Expressing gratitude to residents for their patience during the crisis, the governor urged unity: “Our diversity is our greatest asset, and our unity the strongest guarantee of our future. We must rise above bitterness and division and channel our energies into rebuilding trust, fostering inclusiveness, and securing a peaceful and prosperous State for all.”
Fubara also thanked Wike, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, House Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, and other stakeholders for their role in resolving the impasse.
The governor had arrived at the Port Harcourt International Airport earlier on Friday to a rousing welcome from supporters, who sang and danced while hailing him as “a man of peace” and “our peace ambassador.” Accompanied by his wife, Valerie, and his Chief of Staff, Edison Ehie, Fubara was received by Deputy Governor Ngozi Nam Odu and other political leaders before heading to Government House for his broadcast.
