For six months, Rivers State was wrapped in unfamiliar quiet. The State House was distant, the Assembly’s doors locked, voices hushened by emergency rule. Then came September 17, 2025: the declaration ends, the normal returns. Governor Siminalayi Fubara, restored to office, stood before the people—not merely to resume power—but to answer a deeper question: What happens now?
This is the moment when leadership is measured not by promises, but by clarity. When suspensions, decrees and political tension recede, the way forward must be laid bare. Reconstruction of trust. Rebuilding of systems. Re-establishment of services. And a roadmap so visible, that citizens no longer wonder whether there are hidden agendas behind walls.
Fubara’s speech, though partly reported, signaled intention. A governance reset. An urging of transparency. A plea for patience. And a clear signal that, for Rivers State, “governance” is no longer abstract—it will be visible, accountable, urgent.
From Reports & Public Statements
The emergency rule that suspended Fubara, his deputy, and the entire Rivers House of Assembly has been formally lifted. Governor Fubara is back in office.
Fubara has committed publicly to take “next actions” in governance now that normal political structures are restored.
In his speech, he appealed to citizens for patience and understanding, citing the need to “reconnoitre” where things stalled, where funds were held up, what services suffered.
Fubara’s Full Statement
Read full text below:
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.
2. It is without doubt that the last six months had been enormously challenging for our dear State under the emergency rule.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. Personally, I will never take Mr. President’s kindness for granted, and for that, I hereby reaffirm my utmost loyalty and eternal gratitude.
10. 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”.
11. 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.
12. 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.
13. 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.
14. 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.
15. 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.
16. 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.
17. 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.
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18. 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.
19. 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.
20. 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.
21. 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.
22. 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.
A Test of Governance
If the return from emergency rule is only ceremonial, if Fubara resumes office but nothing changes in people’s daily lives—if children still walk long distances to schools, patients still queue without medicines, markets remain paralyzed—then this speech becomes hollow.
But if Fubara’s governance is reanimated with urgency, accountability, and visible impact, Rivers State could become a model for responsive, post-crisis governance—not just in Nigeria, but in the region.
Because beyond politics, what the people need now is evidence. Proof that democracy, when restored, means more than the end of suspensions—it means the return of service, dignity, and respect.
