The suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has commended President Bola Tinubu for his timely intervention which halted the degeneration of the political crisis in the state.
Fubara said the president deserved all the kudos for acting wisely to salvage and stabilise the state.
According to Fubara, the story in the state “would have been different” if President Tinubu failed to act when he did.
Fubara stated thus at a meeting with leaders and stakeholders of the Simplified Movement as part of activities to mark his two years in office as Governor of Rivers State in Port Harcourt on Thursday.
It would be recalled that Tinubu had, in a nationwide broadcast on March 18, 2025 declared a state of emergency citing the need to restore law and order as the crisis between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike festered.
He subsequently announced the suspension of Fubara, his deputy, Mrs Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State for an initial six months.
This was followed by the nomination of retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas as the Rivers State administrator to steer the affairs of the state, during the period of the emergency rule.
Fubara, in a statement on Thursday by his media aide, Nelson Chukwudi, said his supporters, Rivers people and Nigerians needed to thank President Tinubu for his swift intervention to salvage the state from looming anarchy arising from the festering political crisis.
He also said a peace and reconciliation process had been activated, assuring that all executive and legislative institutions would be restored.
He tasked his supporters to be open to the ongoing peace process to enable the state to move forward.
He said, “We are already in the peace process. I want you to thank Mr President for his timely intervention to salvage the situation, and stabilise the polity and the State. If not for Mr President, the story today would have been different.
“I don’t know how he gets his information, but the truth is that he acted with wisdom at the right time. He is the one you should thank. And let me also thank him personally for his intervention, and the personalities across the country, who moved in and appealed to him to intervene.
“We have to come down from our high horses and subject ourselves to the peace process. And that is what we are doing. What is important is for the State to move forward. It is not about you, the interest of the State is paramount.”
The suspended governor assured that democracy and good governance will soon return in the state, with both arms working together for the good of the people.
Fubara stated, “I want to assure you that the issues will soon be resolved, and you will come back to your offices; not just at the Executive arm, but also Legislative arm.
“I also believe that the strong relationships we had before will return, and we will begin to work together again, for the good and progress of the State. What is important is for us to have a forgiving spirit.”
The governor pleaded for forgiveness from anyone who may have felt disappointed in his handling of the crisis, emphasising that his actions were guided by a desire to protect the peace and progress of the state.
The governor explained that those expressing anger and grievances have the right to do so, but quickly added that the time has come for all to embrace peace, and pursue reconciliation and forgiveness for the development and progress of the state.
He expressed appreciation to Mr President for the steps he has taken as a father to restore peace, stability and good governance in the State, and assured reconciliation with the former governor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, very soon.
The governor disclosed that since the President’s intervention, several reconciliatory meetings had been held, including some at the FCT minister’s residence.
He said: “There is no reason why there will not be peace between me and my Oga”, about the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and his predecessor, Chief Nyesom Wike, adding, “There will be peace. We are meeting. We will reconcile.”
While asserting that he was indebted to the people for their sacrifices and opportunity to serve, the governor promised to continue to show respect for the people of the State, who entrusted him with the mandate.
“One important thing in this life is respect. I want to earn the respect of the people, not force it on them…I’m with you completely,” he said.
He thanked Rivers people and all Nigerians who stood by him during the period of political turbulence, acknowledging their loyalty and prayers.
He noted that but for the political situation, orchestrated by the crisis, the second year celebrations would have been used to showcase some of the key milestones recorded by the administration in various sectors across the state.
He assured that the government would bounce back stronger, more united and engineered to deliver quality dividends of democracy to the people.
