By our reporter
Reinstated Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has specially thumbed up President Bola Tinubu and Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for the return of normalcy and stability to the oil-producing South-South state.
He resumed office today at the expiry of a six-month emergency rule slammed by President Tinubu on the State, suspending all elected structures in the process following protracted political crisis between Wike, the governor’s estranged political godfather, and Fubara.
The crisis spilt into the State House of Assembly where factions of agitated lawmakers queued up behind both gladiators, further disrupting stability,governance and peace in the state.
In a broadcast this evening to people of the state, Fubara expressed deep appreciation to President Tinubu for what he described as a “fatherly intervention” that restored full democratic governance to the State.
He also acknowledged Wike’s role, alongside the Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, and other stakeholders in sustaining peace.
He said his decision not to contest the presidential declaration of emergency was predicated on his conviction that no sacrifice was too great for peace in Rivers State.
He accepted President Tinubu’s intervention during the emergency rule, saying “hard lessons” were learnt along the way.
The governor, who pledged to work harmoniously with the State House of Assembly to recover lost grounds and accelerate the advancement of social and economic development of the state, described the period of emergency as one of the most challenging moments for the state.
“The President graciously brokered peace during this period, and we all accepted it, though not without the hard lessons learnt, during the emergency rule,” he said.
He added that the responsibility now lies with leaders to put aside personal interests and pursue the common good.
The governor extended his gratitude to the Speaker and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for their cooperation.
He, however, noted the concerns of his supporters and assured them that “not everything is irretrievably lost” and that opportunities remain ahead.
He stated that “the costly peace is cheaper than the cheapest war,” stressing the need to build a more prosperous Rivers State.
He recalled his administration’s achievements before the emergency rule and promised to resume funding ongoing projects to ensure their completion.
He further reiterated his commitment to working with the House of Assembly in the interest of the state, while thanking the people of Rivers State for their resilience, peaceful conduct, and prayers.
Earlier, on his return to Government House, Fubara vowed not to take Tinubu’s kindness for granted, declaring that normalcy had returned to the state.
He also expressed deep appreciation to his supporters for standing by him during his suspension.
PHOTO CAPTION: Fubara.
