Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers, says the state must now focus on reconciliation and development after six months of emergency rule.
In a nationwide broadcast on Friday, Fubara stated that he had rejected calls to question the validity of the emergency rule, the suspension of democratic institutions, and other policies.
Following a lengthy political dispute between Fubara and Nyesom Wike, the minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), President Bola Tinubu proclaimed emergency rule in the state on March 18.
Wike and assembly members were among the major political players in the state, and the governor commended Tinubu for mediating a settlement between them.
“We believe the political crisis is now behind us and that peace and stability have once again returned to Rivers, though not without the hard lessons learnt from the emergency rule,” Fubara said.
“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.”
The governor urged the state assembly, political figures, and interested parties to set aside their disagreements and put Rivers’ interests first.
Additionally, he gave Tinubu praise for “his fatherly role and decisive interventions” in bringing democracy back to Rivers.
“I will never take Mr President’s kindness for granted, and for that, I hereby reaffirm my utmost loyalty and eternal gratitude,” he added.
Fubara acknowledged fears among residents about the peace deal but insisted nothing has been permanently lost.
“The costliest peace is cheaper than the cheapest war,” he said.
In addition to promising to finish ongoing projects in the fields of infrastructure, education, healthcare, and other areas, the governor urged the populace to view the present as a new beginning.
In order to “recover lost ground” and quicken progress, he promised to collaborate with the house of assembly.
Along with thanking religious leaders, traditional rulers, civil society organisations, and political stakeholders for their support, Fubara also praised the people of Rivers for their patience during the six-month emergency.
He thanked Wike, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, House of Representatives Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, and National Assembly members for their contributions to the crisis resolution.
The governor asked the people of Rivers to set aside their animosity and divisiveness.
“Our diversity is our greatest asset, and our unity the strongest guarantee of our future,” he added.
