…Affirms loyalty to Tinubu, Wike, pledges eternal gratitude 

Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State on Friday announced that the prolonged political crisis that unsettled the state had finally ended, with all stakeholders agreeing to reconciliation in the interest of peace and stability.

Addressing the people in a statewide broadcast, Governor Fubara confirmed that Rivers State had fully exited the six-month emergency rule declared by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in March 2025, stressing that “peace is now permanent.”

He disclosed that his administration, former Governor Nyesom Wike, and the Rivers State House of Assembly had resolved to draw a line under past disagreements.

“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,” Fubara declared.

He noted that the crisis, though costly, had left valuable lessons. 

“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.

The Governor expressed deep appreciation to President Tinubu for what he described as a fatherly intervention that brought calm to the state.

“On behalf of the Government and the good people of Rivers State, I extend our heartfelt gratitude to Mr President for his fatherly disposition and decisive interventions in resolving the political crisis and for graciously restoring full democratic governance to our State. 

“Personally, I will never take Mr President’s kindness for granted, and for that, I hereby reaffirm my utmost loyalty and eternal gratitude,” he said.

Fubara assured Rivers people that governance and development would once again take centre stage, with a renewed focus on completing projects, reviving the economy, and safeguarding lives and property.

“Our immediate responsibility is to return to the path of governance and development by completing the projects which we started by ensuring none of them is starved of funds or neglected, thereby reviving our economy, protecting lives and property, and improving the wellbeing of all Rivers people,” the Governor pledged.

He appealed to council chairmen, legislators, and political leaders to work together for the welfare of citizens. 

“The responsibility now rests squarely on us: the Government, the State House of Assembly, political leaders and stakeholders to put aside our differences, work for the common good, and advance the interests of our people above all else. 

“We have a duty to ensure that the peace we have all embraced remains permanent in our dear Rivers State,” he said.

Responding to concerns that reconciliation may not hold, Fubara reassured residents that the peace process was genuine. 

“To those who have expressed genuine fears, frustrations, and uncertainty over the nature of the peace process, I assure you that your concerns are valid and understood. 

“However, nothing has been irretrievably lost; there remains ample opportunity for necessary adjustments, continued reconciliation, and inclusiveness. We must all remember the saying, ‘the costliest peace is cheaper than the cheapest war,’” he remarked.

He also commended the resilience of Rivers citizens during the emergency period. “I wish to sincerely thank you, the resilient people of Rivers State, for your patience, courage, and peaceful conduct during the six months of emergency rule,” he said.

Meanwhile, Rivers elder statesman Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe has advised Governor Fubara to concentrate on peace-building and development rather than initiating a probe into the activities of retired Rear Admiral Charles Ibas, who served as Sole Administrator of the state during the emergency.

In a statement issued on X, Sara-Igbe cautioned that political distractions could undermine progress. 

“Fubara should not bother himself with probing the sole administrator (Ibas); he should concern himself with peace-building and development of the state,” he said.