Governor Fubara says he accepted Tinubu’s emergency rule in Rivers to safeguard peace and has pledged renewed focus on governance after his reinstatement.
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has explained why he resisted calls from his supporters to challenge the emergency rule imposed on the state, saying his decision was driven by the need to preserve peace and stability.
In a statewide broadcast on Friday following his return to Port Harcourt, Fubara said, “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.”
The governor, his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, and Chief of Staff, Edison Ehie, returned on Thursday, two days after President Bola Tinubu lifted the six-month rule. Their arrival at Port Harcourt International Airport was met with jubilant supporters and political associates, though no known loyalists of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike were present.
Fubara praised Tinubu for brokering reconciliation, adding, “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.”
The governor reaffirmed loyalty to Tinubu, assured sceptical residents of inclusiveness, and urged stakeholders to ensure peace endures. He pledged to refocus his administration on governance and service delivery, vowing that “nothing has been irretrievably lost.”
The state House of Assembly has since resumed plenary, calling on Fubara to submit commissioner-nominees and the 2025 budget.