Fubara Encourages Rivers People to ‘Embrace This Moment As Fresh Beginning’
By:OVL News I 20 September 2025
Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has urged the people to embrace the lifting of a state of emergency and the resumption of democratic governance as a fresh start.
Fubara called the public on Friday evening in his first state-wide broadcast after the emergency rule was lifted.
Leadership recalls that Rivers State declared a six-month state of emergency in March due to political and security issues.
Let us use this moment as a fresh start. Help us develop a stronger, more peaceful, and prosperous Rivers State with renewed hope and commitment. We shall keep working to carry everyone.
“Despite the turbulence, you are aware of the credible milestones our administration achieved in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and other key sectors over the last two years,” Fubara stated.
The governor remarked that the executive, legislative, and other stakeholders must now set aside their disagreements and work for the state’s common interest.
Fubara added, “We believe the political crisis is now behind us and that peace and stability have returned to Rivers State, though not without the hard lessons learned from the emergency rule.
“The Government, State House of Assembly, political leaders, and stakeholders must now put aside our differences, work for the common good, and prioritize our people. We must preserve the peace we’ve all accepted in Rivers State.”
The governor said the six-month state of emergency has been difficult for the state and its people.
“Undoubtedly, the last six months under emergency rule were extremely difficult for our dear State.
As your governor, I accepted the state of emergency declaration and cooperated with Mr. President and the National Assembly because I believed no sacrifice was too big to achieve peace, stability, and growth in Rivers State.
He continued, “This was why I also resisted the pressure to challenge the constitutionality of the declaration of a state of emergency, the suspension of democratic institutions, and all other actions we endured during this difficult period.
Fubara commended President Bola Tinubu, the National Assembly leadership, and Chief Nyesom Wike for enabling the peace process.
The governor said: “Mr. President graciously brokered the peace process with all parties successfully over six months.
Our Leader, His Excellency, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON, all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, and I, as your Governor, have all agreed to bury the hatchet and embrace peace and reconciliation for the benefit of our beautiful state.
I thank our Father, Mr. President, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, again for his timely involvement and dedication to restoring peace and stability in our state.
I also applaud our Leader, His Excellency Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON, the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, for promising to resolve the political impasse in the State quickly.
“I also wish to express my profound thanks to the Senate President, His Excellency Senator Godswill Akpabio; the House Speaker, His Excellency Dr. Abbas Tajudeen; and the distinguished members of the National Assembly for their efforts to resolve the matter.”
Fubara said his administration’s urgent task was to complete its projects to return to governance and development.
We must return to governance and development by completing the projects we started and ensuring none are starved of cash or neglected, restoring our economy, protecting lives and property, and enhancing the wellbeing of all Rivers people.
“I commit to working harmoniously with the Rivers State House of Assembly to recover lost ground and accelerate our dear State’s social and economic advancement. I renew my promise to serve with humility, fear of God, and duty, he stated.
Fubara arrived in Port Harcourt on Friday afternoon more than 24 hours after the President lifted the state of emergency after keeping his supporters at Government House gate on Thursday in suspense.
The governor, his wife Lady Valerie, and his Chief of Staff, Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie, arrived at the local wing of Port Harcourt International Airport at 6:00am on Friday to be greeted by his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, and thousands of supporters.
LEADERSHIP noted that only Barrister James James, the Opobo/Nkoro LGA chairman, was at the airport to welcome the governor.
Rivers State House of Assembly members also skipped the governor’s airport reception.
Former NBA President Chief Onueze Okocha recommended Governor Siminalayi Fubara to focus on administration after emergency rule.
Okocha told Port Harcourt newsmen that the governor should focus on leading the state rather than holding grudges.
The senior attorney of Nigeria (SAN) urged Fubara and the State House of Assembly to work together for state peace and growth.
Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, a leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), called the State House of Assembly’s demand for his commissioner-nominees’ vetting and a new Appropriation Bill premature.
In a statement to Port Harcourt newsmen, Eze said it is too early for lawmakers to intervene in executive issues, saying such a demand invites another regime of instability.
His words: “It is surprising that the Rivers State House of Assembly is placing this demand on the Governor at a time when the people expected them to have a moment of quiet reflection, like the governor, on the avalanche of sabotage that has wrecked the common patrimony of Rivers people by strangers installed to plunder the common wealth and chart a new cause for a holistic recovery through genuine reconciliation for the state.
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