Rivers Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has urged the people to welcome the reinstatement of emergency rule and the return of democratic rule as an opportunity for a fresh start.
While making his maiden statewide broadcast after President Bola Tinubu suspended the six-month emergency rule, Fubara appealed for cooperation and harmony between all levels of government and political stakeholders.
“Let us seize this moment as a new dawn. Let us work together with hope and determination to forge a more united, peaceful, and wealthier Rivers State,” he stated.
The governor attested to advances in infrastructure, education, health, and others despite the unrest of the last two years. He insisted that the time now is for leaders to set aside differences and give quality to the common good.
Reflecting on the state of emergency in retrospect, Fubara averred that he accepted to collaborate with the Federal Government because he believed no sacrifice was too great in order to attain peace, stability, and progress of Rivers State. He averred that he stood against judicial review of the declaration of state of emergency, opting rather to work towards reconciliation.
He expressed gratitude to National Assembly leaders, President Tinubu, and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike for helping to bring peace, observing that all parties had consented to “bury the hatchet and come in peace in the best interest of the state.”
Fubara promised his government would return to governance and development, especially by finishing ongoing projects.
Meanwhile, the reason why the Supreme Court failed to hear the case presented before it by 11 Peoples Democratic Party governors in opposition to Tinubu’s imposition of emergency rule in Rivers State has been made public.
A source at the supreme court disclosed that court vacation for one year and negligence by the plaintiffs resulted in delays in the case. The source additionally explained that there is no law that makes mention that the case is time-bound, yet pending cases with serious attention might keep it from being heard for another year or even more.
The suit filed in April 2025 challenged the constitutional authority of the president to suspend the elected state governors and appoint one administrator to replace them. The governors claimed the declaration of emergency was against articles of the 1999 Constitution and against democratic institutions.
President Tinubu suspended Governor Fubara, his deputy, and the state legislature and appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas as sole administrator of six-month emergency rule.
