By Ayo Ayodele
Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has assured citizens that peace and stability have fully returned to the state after six months of emergency rule imposed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in March 2025.
In a statewide broadcast on Friday, September 19, the Governor reflected on the turbulence of the past half-year, describing the period as “enormously challenging” for the state. He said he deliberately refrained from challenging the constitutionality of the declaration, opting instead to cooperate with the Federal Government in the interest of peace and stability.
According to him, President Tinubu’s interventions successfully brokered reconciliation among key stakeholders, including himself, former Governor and Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
“We believe the political crisis is now behind us and that peace and stability have once again returned to Rivers State, though not without the hard lessons learnt from the emergency rule,” Fubara said.
The Governor expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for what he described as his “fatherly disposition and decisive interventions” that restored full democratic governance to the state. He also extended appreciation to the National Assembly, political leaders, civil society groups, religious leaders, and the people of Rivers State for their patience and resilience.
Fubara pledged to refocus his administration on governance and development, with renewed efforts to complete infrastructure, education, healthcare, and other projects that were affected during the crisis. He further assured Rivers people of inclusiveness, reconciliation, and progress, emphasizing that “the costliest peace is cheaper than the cheapest war.”
He called on all citizens to set aside political, ethnic, and religious differences, work together in unity, and rebuild the state.
“Above all, 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,” Fubara declared.
The Governor concluded his address by reaffirming loyalty to President Tinubu and giving glory to God for sustaining Rivers State during the difficult period.