Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has officially resumed office following the end of the six-month state of emergency imposed on the oil-rich state, pledging renewed loyalty to President Bola Tinubu and his predecessor, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
In his first statewide broadcast on Friday, September 19, just hours after returning to Government House, Port Harcourt, Fubara described the last half-year as “enormously challenging,” noting that he deliberately chose not to contest the legality of the emergency rule in court out of respect for peace and stability.
“As your Governor, I accepted to abide by the declaration of a state of emergency and chose to cooperate with Mr. President and the National Assembly,” he said. “No sacrifice was too great to secure peace, stability, and progress of Rivers State.”
Fubara recalled that President Tinubu’s intervention was instrumental in brokering a peace deal between himself, Wike, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, adding that the reconciliation effort had put political hostilities behind them. “We believe the political crisis is now behind us and that peace and stability have once again returned to Rivers State, though not without hard lessons learned,” he noted.
The governor acknowledged the concerns of citizens who expressed doubts about the peace process, assuring them that “nothing has been irretrievably lost” and pledging continued reconciliation and inclusiveness. He urged Rivers people to embrace the present moment as a “fresh beginning” and to channel their energies toward unity, development, and prosperity.
While pledging to uphold Tinubu’s leadership, Fubara also reaffirmed his loyalty to Wike, commending the former governor for his role in the resolution of the state’s political impasse. He extended appreciation to the National Assembly leadership, traditional rulers, civil society groups, and citizens at home and abroad who supported the state during the emergency rule.
The governor outlined his next steps, which include accelerating the completion of ongoing projects in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and other sectors, while working closely with the Rivers State House of Assembly to “recover lost grounds” and revive the state’s economy.
Fubara, who landed at the Port Harcourt International Airport at 12:19 p.m. to a jubilant welcome from supporters, said he was humbled by the show of love. “That reception really humbled me. It showed love, confidence, and solidarity,” he told the crowd before heading to Government House for his evening broadcast.
“Above all,” the governor added, “let us draw strength from our shared identity as Rivers people. Our diversity is our greatest asset, and our unity the strongest guarantee of our future.”
