RIVERS State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has shed light on why he resisted intense pressure from his supporters to challenge the emergency rule imposed on Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu, insisting that his choice was driven by a desire to safeguard the peace, stability, and future of the state.
News Point Nigeria reports that the governor made the remarks in a statewide broadcast on Friday, shortly after returning to Port Harcourt following the official lifting of the six-month state of emergency and his reinstatement as governor.
Governor Fubara, accompanied by Deputy Governor Prof. Ngozi Odu and Chief of Staff Edison Ehie, landed at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, on Friday afternoon to a rapturous welcome by supporters and loyalists.
Their aircraft, with registration number 5N-BTX, touched down at 12:15 p.m. and was met by a large crowd waving banners, singing solidarity songs, and celebrating the governor’s return to office.
Among those present to receive the governor were several notable figures, including former Commissioner for Information and Communications, 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 heavyweights.
However, no prominent politician loyal to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike was seen at the airport, fuelling speculation about the state of their reconciliation.
President Bola Tinubu, in a statement issued from the Presidency on Wednesday, officially declared an end to the emergency rule, which had placed Rivers State under the sole administration of retired naval chief Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas for half a year.
“The Governor, His Excellency Siminalayi Fubara, the Deputy Governor, Her Excellency Ngozi Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, will resume work in their offices from September 18, 2025,” Tinubu said.
In his address to the people, Fubara described the past six months as “enormously challenging,” but stressed that his decision to comply with the federal government’s declaration was a deliberate act of statesmanship.
“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,” Fubara said.
He disclosed that he faced mounting pressure from allies and legal experts to challenge the constitutionality of the emergency rule but resisted in order not to worsen tensions.
“This was why I resisted the pressure to challenge the constitutionality of the declaration, the suspension of democratic institutions and other actions we endured during the difficult period,” he added.
Fubara commended President Tinubu for brokering a peace accord that brought him, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, and the Rivers State House of Assembly members to the negotiation table.
“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 and reconciliation in the best interest of our dear state,” he said.
The governor assured residents that the process of reconciliation was ongoing and urged them to remain calm and optimistic about the future.
“Nothing has been irretrievably lost. There remain ample opportunities for necessary adjustments, continued reconciliation, and inclusiveness,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State House of Assembly, at its first plenary after six months, urged Fubara to immediately submit a list of commissioner-nominees for screening and also forward the 2025 Appropriation Bill for consideration.
Speaker Martins Amaewhule presided over the sitting at the Legislative Quarters in Port Harcourt, with lawmakers pledging to play their part in rebuilding governance after months of political paralysis.
Fubara promised that with peace restored, his administration would now focus fully on delivering good governance and accelerating development projects.
“Our focus now is to serve you better. We will not be distracted. Our priority is to consolidate peace and deliver the dividends of democracy to every part of Rivers State,” he declared.
The governor also expressed gratitude to Rivers people for their resilience during the crisis and their warm reception upon his return