Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has reaffirmed loyalty to President Bola Tinubu and described Nyesom Wike as “our leader” as he resumes office after six months of emergency rule
Fubara Reaffirms Loyalty to Tinubu, Declares Wike “Our Leader” as Rivers Emergency Rule Ends
Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has reaffirmed his loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu while acknowledging the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, as “our leader” as he resumed full duties after six months of emergency rule in the state.
In a statewide broadcast on Friday, Fubara described the emergency period—declared on March 18 by President Tinubu to douse the state’s political crisis—as “enormously challenging but necessary to restore peace and stability.”
“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.
The governor revealed that he resisted pressure to legally challenge the declaration, choosing peace and cooperation instead.
“In the course of the six-month period, Mr. President graciously brokered the peace process with all the parties successfully.
“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 added.
Fubara noted that Rivers must now move forward, stressing that political leaders carry the responsibility of ensuring the fragile peace holds.
“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,” he said.
He thanked Tinubu for his “fatherly disposition and decisive interventions” in resolving the crisis, pledging his “utmost loyalty and eternal gratitude” to the president.
To those still skeptical, Fubara reassured Rivers people that “nothing has been irretrievably lost,” adding, “We must all remember the saying: the costliest peace is cheaper than the cheapest war.”
The governor also promised to refocus on governance and development, highlighting infrastructure, education, and healthcare as priorities. He vowed to complete ongoing projects and work harmoniously with the State House of Assembly to “recover lost grounds and accelerate the social and economic advancement of Rivers State.”
Fubara extended gratitude to Rivers people for their patience, as well as to religious leaders, traditional rulers, civil society groups, and political actors who supported the peace process. He further acknowledged Senate President Godswill Akpabio, House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, and other National Assembly members for their roles in brokering peace.
“Once again, I thank and appreciate our Father, Mr President, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for his timely intervention and dedication to ensuring the restoration of peace and stability in our State. I also thank our Leader, His Excellency Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON, the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, for committing to the prompt resolution of the political impasse,” he said.
“In all, I give glory to Almighty God. May God bless Rivers State and all its people. May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.” Read More
