By Peter Omopo
Port Harcourt | September 19, 2025 – Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has formally resumed duty following the end of the six-month emergency rule imposed on the state, pledging to prioritize unity, reconciliation, and inclusive governance.
In a statewide broadcast on Friday, Fubara described the period of emergency rule, declared by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on March 18, 2025, as “enormously challenging” but said Rivers State had emerged stronger with renewed opportunities for peace and development.
The governor revealed that the peace process brokered by the president brought together all major actors, including Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, and other political leaders, who agreed to bury their differences in the interest of stability.
“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.
He thanked President Tinubu for what he called his “fatherly disposition and decisive interventions” in restoring democratic governance to the state. He also expressed gratitude to the National Assembly, religious leaders, traditional rulers, civil society groups, and the people of Rivers State for their patience and resilience during the turbulent months.
Fubara assured residents that his administration would refocus on governance, including the completion of key infrastructure, education, and healthcare projects. He pledged to work harmoniously with the state assembly to “recover lost grounds” and accelerate socio-economic growth.
“Our diversity is our greatest asset, and our unity the strongest guarantee of our future. We must rise above bitterness and division to rebuild trust and secure a peaceful and prosperous State for all,” he said.
The governor reaffirmed his loyalty to President Tinubu and called on all Rivers people, regardless of political or ethnic affiliation, to join hands in rebuilding the state.
The six-month emergency rule, which suspended democratic institutions in Rivers State, was declared in March following a deepening political crisis. Its lifting marks the return of full democratic governance to the oil-rich state.
