Governor Fubara Addresses Rivers State, Signals New Dawn After Six-Month Emergency Rule
Port Harcourt, Rivers State – September 19, 2025
In a statewide broadcast delivered on Friday, September 19, 2025, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, Governor of Rivers State, announced the end of a challenging six-month state of emergency in the state, declared by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, on March 18, 2025, in response to a severe political crisis. The Governor’s address, marked by gratitude, reconciliation, and a call for unity, outlined the lessons learned, the path to recovery, and a renewed commitment to the development of Rivers State.
A State Under Emergency Rule
Governor Fubara began by recalling the circumstances that led to the emergency declaration, noting that the intense political crisis had plunged Rivers State into a period of significant turmoil. The state of emergency, which lasted six months, saw the suspension of democratic institutions, presenting unprecedented challenges for the government and people of Rivers State. Reflecting on this period, the Governor described it as “enormously challenging” but emphasized his decision to cooperate fully with President Tinubu and the National Assembly, driven by a conviction that no sacrifice was too great to secure peace, stability, and progress.
In a notable display of restraint, Governor Fubara revealed that he resisted pressures to challenge the constitutionality of the emergency declaration and related actions, prioritizing the state’s stability over legal battles. “As your Governor, I accepted to abide by the state of emergency declaration… guided by my conviction that no sacrifice was too great to secure peace,” he stated.
A Peace Process Brokered by President Tinubu
The Governor credited President Tinubu for his “fatherly disposition” and decisive interventions, which facilitated a successful peace process. He highlighted the roles played by key stakeholders, including His Excellency Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON, the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, in resolving the crisis. “Our Leader, His Excellency Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, 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.
The Governor expressed optimism that the political crisis was now behind the state, though he acknowledged the “hard lessons” learned during the emergency period. He urged the government, the State House of Assembly, political leaders, and stakeholders to set aside differences and work collaboratively to ensure lasting peace and advance the interests of Rivers people.
Gratitude and Reassurance
Governor Fubara extended heartfelt gratitude to President Tinubu for his leadership in restoring full democratic governance to Rivers 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. He also thanked the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr. Abbas Tajudeen, and members of the National Assembly for their contributions to resolving the crisis.
Addressing concerns from citizens about the nature of the peace process, the Governor acknowledged their fears and frustrations as valid but reassured them that “nothing has been irretrievably lost.” He emphasized the opportunity for continued reconciliation, inclusiveness, and adjustments, quoting the adage, “The costliest peace is cheaper than the cheapest war.” Fubara called for a collective embrace of this moment as a “fresh beginning” to build a stronger, more peaceful, and prosperous Rivers State.
Commitment to Development and Unity
Despite the challenges of the past six months, Governor Fubara highlighted the achievements of his administration over the last two years, including milestones in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and other key sectors. He pledged to return the state to a path of governance and development by completing ongoing projects, ensuring adequate funding, and avoiding neglect. “Our immediate responsibility is to return to the path of governance and development by completing the projects which we started… thereby reviving our economy, protecting lives and property, and improving the wellbeing of all Rivers people,” he affirmed.
The Governor also committed to working harmoniously with the Rivers State House of Assembly to recover lost ground and accelerate social and economic progress. He renewed his pledge to serve with humility, a sense of duty, and the fear of God, promising to carry all stakeholders along in the state’s development journey.
Appreciation for Resilience and Support
Governor Fubara reserved special praise for the people of Rivers State, commending their patience, courage, and peaceful conduct during the emergency rule. “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. He also expressed appreciation to religious leaders, traditional rulers, civil society groups, political actors, women, youths, and concerned citizens both within Nigeria and in the diaspora for their prayers and support.
A Call for Unity and Progress
In closing, Governor Fubara called on all citizens of Rivers State, regardless of political, religious, or ethnic affiliations, to unite in rebuilding the state and securing a future of dignity and progress. He emphasized the state’s diversity as its greatest asset and unity as the strongest guarantee of its future. “We must rise above bitterness and division and channel our energies into rebuilding trust, fostering inclusiveness, and securing a peaceful and prosperous State for all,” he urged.
The Governor reiterated his gratitude to President Tinubu, Nyesom Wike, the National Assembly, the Rivers State House of Assembly, and all stakeholders for their roles in restoring peace. He concluded with a prayer for divine blessings on Rivers State and the Federal Republic of Nigeria, giving glory to God for the resolution of the crisis.
A New Chapter for Rivers State
Governor Fubara’s broadcast marks a significant turning point for Rivers State, signaling the end of a turbulent period and the beginning of renewed efforts to foster peace, unity, and development. As the state moves forward, the Governor’s call for collaboration and inclusiveness sets the tone for a collective effort to rebuild trust and advance the welfare of all Rivers people. With democratic governance restored and a commitment to completing critical projects, Rivers State stands poised for a brighter future under Fubara’s leadership.
STATEWIDE BROADCAST BY HIS EXCELLENCY, SIR SIMINALAYI FUBARA, GSSRS, ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2025
My dear good people of Rivers State
Recall that Rivers State was placed under a six-month emergency rule, declared by Mr. President, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, on the 18th of March, 2025, following the intense political crisis in our State.
- It is without doubt that the last six months had been enormously challenging for our dear State under the emergency rule.
- 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.
- This was why I also resisted the pressure to challenge the constitutionality of the declaration of a state of emergency, the suspension of democratic institutions, and all other actions that we endured during this difficult period.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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”.
- Accordingly, let us, therefore, embrace this moment as a fresh beginning. Let us work together with renewed hope and determination to build a stronger, more peaceful and prosperous Rivers State. I assure you that we will continuously work towards ensuring that we carry everyone along.
- Despite the turbulence, you are aware of the credible milestones our administration achieved in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and other key sectors over the last two years.
- 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.
- I commit to working harmoniously with the Rivers State House of Assembly to recover lost grounds and accelerate the social and economic advancement of our dear State. I also renew my pledge to serve with the fear of God, humility and a high sense of duty.
- 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.
- I also extend appreciation to all stakeholders, religious leaders, traditional rulers, civil society groups, political actors, women groups, youths, concerned citizens at home and abroad, and well-wishers whose prayers and support sustained us through the challenging 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. We must rise above bitterness and division and channel our energies into rebuilding trust, fostering inclusiveness, and securing a peaceful and prosperous State for all.
- 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.
- 1 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 in the State.
- I also wish to express my profound thanks to the President of the Senate His Excellency Senator Godswill Akpabio; the Speaker of the House of Representatives, His Excellency Dr. Abbas Tajudeen; and the distinguished members of the National Assembly for the role they all played in the resolution of the matter.
- I thank the Honourable Speaker and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, respected elders, stakeholders and all concerned citizens for working together to resolve our differences and ensuring peace and harmony in our State.
- Finally, I call on all citizens of Rivers State, regardless of political, religious, or ethnic affiliation, to join hands in rebuilding our beloved State and securing a future of dignity and progress for everyone. In all, I give glory to the Almighty God.
Thank you all.
May God bless Rivers State and all its people.
May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
