Rivers State Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, on Friday addressed the people of the state in a statewide broadcast, marking the official end of the six-month emergency rule imposed in March following a protracted political crisis.
The emergency rule, declared by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, on March 18, 2025, was a response to escalating political tensions and institutional breakdown within the state. During his address, Governor Fubara described the past six months as “enormously challenging” but affirmed that peace and stability had now been restored.
“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,” Fubara announced.
Governor Fubara acknowledged that the peace process was brokered directly by President Tinubu and lauded the President for his “fatherly disposition” and “decisive intervention” in resolving the political deadlock. He also commended the National Assembly, the Senate President Senator Godswill Akpabio, House Speaker Dr. Abbas Tajudeen, and other key stakeholders for their roles in restoring governance.
He stressed that he had deliberately chosen not to challenge the legality of the emergency declaration, suspension of democratic institutions, or other federal actions taken during the crisis, stating that “no sacrifice was too great to secure peace, stability, and progress of Rivers State.”
Calling the end of the crisis a “fresh beginning,” Fubara urged all political actors, stakeholders, and citizens to embrace unity and collective progress.
“The responsibility now rests squarely on us… to put aside our differences, work for the common good, and advance the interests of our people above all else,” he said. “We have a duty to ensure that the peace we have all embraced remains permanent.”
The Governor reaffirmed his loyalty to President Tinubu and expressed openness to continued reconciliation and inclusiveness for those who felt left out of the process.
Highlighting his administration’s achievements in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and other key sectors over the last two years, Fubara pledged to resume governance in full force.
“Our immediate responsibility is to return to the path of governance and development by completing the projects which we started… reviving our economy, protecting lives and property, and improving the wellbeing of all Rivers people,” he said.
He also vowed to work closely with the Rivers State House of Assembly to recover lost ground and accelerate socio-economic progress.
In his closing remarks, the Governor extended gratitude to religious leaders, traditional rulers, civil society groups, women and youth groups, and the general public for their support during the turbulent period.
“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,” he concluded.
The emergency rule in Rivers State officially ends with this address, restoring full democratic governance and signaling a new chapter for the oil-rich state.
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