Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has explained why he resisted pressure from his supporters to challenge the emergency rule declared in the state by President Bola Tinubu, saying his decision was guided by a commitment to peace, stability, and progress for the people.
Fubara made this known in a statewide broadcast on Friday after his return to Rivers State, following the expiration of the six-month emergency rule.
The governor, alongside his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, and the Chief of Staff, Government House, Edison Ehie, arrived at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, two days after President Tinubu lifted the emergency rule and ordered his reinstatement.
Their aircraft with registration number 5N-BTX touched down at 12:15 p.m., where they were received by a large crowd of jubilant supporters.
Among those who welcomed the governor were 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; and former factional Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Victor Oko-Jumbo.
Others present included former Commissioner for Youths, Chisom Gbali; former Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Evans Bipi; former NUPENG President, Igwe Achese; former Commissioner for Education, Dr. Tamunosisi Gogo-Jaja; and several ex-council chairmen.
President Tinubu had on Wednesday formally lifted the emergency rule, marking the end of the tenure of ex-naval chief, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), who served as sole administrator of the state during the period.
Rivers State had been engulfed in one of Nigeria’s fiercest political crises, with Fubara and his predecessor, now FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, at loggerheads over control of state structures. The rift led to a divided House of Assembly, impeachment moves, violent protests, and the burning of the Assembly complex.
Tinubu’s initial peace deal failed to restore stability, prompting the declaration of emergency rule.
In a statement announcing the end of the emergency, the President said:
“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. It, therefore, gives me great pleasure to declare that the emergency in Rivers State of Nigeria shall end with effect from midnight today (Wednesday).”
Fubara, however, delayed his official resumption until Friday despite the expectations of his supporters who had gathered at the Government House gates in Port Harcourt on Thursday morning.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State House of Assembly held its first plenary in six months on Thursday, calling on the governor to immediately forward the list of commissioner-nominees for screening and confirmation.
The session, presided over by Speaker Martins Amaewhule at the Legislative Quarters in Port Harcourt, signaled the resumption of normal legislative activities in the state.
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