Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, has declared that peace and stability have returned to the state following the end of the six-month emergency rule imposed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in March 2025.
In a statewide broadcast on Friday, Governor Fubara reflected on the turbulent period, describing it as “enormously challenging” but necessary to restore order amid the state’s intense political crisis.
“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.
Peace Deal and Political Reconciliation
Fubara credited President Tinubu for brokering peace among key stakeholders, including himself, the Rivers State House of Assembly, and former Governor Nyesom Wike, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
“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 noted.
He acknowledged that the suspension of democratic institutions during the emergency rule raised concerns but emphasized that the crisis had yielded “hard lessons” and a renewed commitment to inclusive governance.
Focus on Governance and Development
The Governor pledged to refocus on governance, pledging to complete ongoing infrastructure, education, and healthcare projects.
“Our immediate responsibility is to return to the path of governance and development by completing the projects which we started, reviving our economy, protecting lives and property, and improving the wellbeing of all Rivers people,” Fubara declared.
He further promised to work harmoniously with the Rivers State House of Assembly to recover “lost grounds” and accelerate the state’s socio-economic advancement.
Gratitude to Stakeholders
Governor Fubara expressed profound appreciation to President Tinubu, Wike, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, House Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, and members of the National Assembly for their roles in resolving the crisis.
He also thanked religious leaders, traditional rulers, civil society groups, women, youth, and the people of Rivers State for their resilience during the emergency.
Above all, he urged unity and reconciliation: “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.”
