Fubara Reacts To Lifting of Rivers’ Emergency Rule

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has reacted to the eventual lifting of the emergency rule and the return of democracy to the state.

His reactions were part of a state-wide broadcast yesterday in which the governor urged his constituents to embrace what he descried as a moment of fresh beginning.

“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 learned 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.”

‘‘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,” Fubara said.

“In the course of the six months, 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.

“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. I 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.

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‘‘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.”

“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 well-being 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,” Fubara stated.