*Suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State of Nigeria appreciates President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his ‘timely intervention to salvage the situation, and stabilise the polity and the state’ in the heat of political crisis

Isola Moses | 绿帽献妻

Suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State of Nigeria has thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as his “timely intervention to salvage the situation, and stabilise the polity and the state” in the thick of the lingering political crisis March 2025.

Governor Fubara stated this Thursday, May 29, 2025, 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 the state in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital.

Nelson Chukwudi, Governor Fubara’s media aide, in a statement Thursday, said the suspended governor acknowledged that “if not for Mr. President, the story today would have been different.”

He commended President Tinubu for acting to halt the degeneration of the political crisis in the state at the time.

According to Fubara, the story in the state 鈥渨ould have been different鈥� if President Tinubu failed to act when he did.

It is recalled that Tinubu in a nationwide broadcast March 18, had declared a state of emergency, citing the need to restore law and order as the crisis between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike festered.

Tinubu, in his national broadcast, also announced the suspension of Fubara, his deputy, Mrs. Ngozi Odu, and all the elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for initial six months.

The Presidential proclamation 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.

The statement also noted that Fubara’s supporters, Rivers people, and Nigerians at large needed to thank President Tinubu for his swift intervention to salvage the state from the hitherto looming anarchy arising from the festering political crisis.

The governor equally said a peace and reconciliation process had been activated, assuring that all Executive and Legislative institutions would be restored in Rivers.

Tinubu has acted with ‘wisdom at the right time鈥�

The statement indicated Fubara further said: 鈥淲e are already in the peace process.

鈥淚 want you to thank Mr. President for his timely intervention to salvage the situation, and stabilise the polity and the state.

鈥淚 don鈥檛 know how he gets his information, but the truth is that he acted with wisdom at the right time.”

The suspended Rivers State Governor averred: “He (Tinubu) 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.

鈥淲e 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.鈥�

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.

On reconciliation and ongoing peace process in Rivers

Giving insight into ongoing moves to resolve issues among the stakeholders in the state, Fubara stated: 鈥淚 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.

鈥淚 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.鈥�

The governor, therefore, pleaded for forgiveness from anyone who may have felt disappointed in his handling of the crisis.

The statement noted he stressed that his actions were guided by a desire to protect the peace and progress of the state at the time.

He as well explained that those expressing anger and grievances over the emergency rule have the right to do so.

Fubara, however, clarified that the time has come for all to embrace peace, and pursue reconciliation and forgiveness for the development and progress of Rivers State.

He further appreciated President Tinubu for the steps he has taken as a father to restore peace, stability and good governance in the state.

The suspended governor assured the stakeholders of reconciliation with Barr. Nyesom Wike, ex-Governor of Rivers State and Honourable Minister for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), very soon.

According to him, since the President鈥檚 intervention, several reconciliatory meetings had been held, including some at the FCT minister鈥檚 residence.

鈥淭here is no reason why there will not be peace between me and my Oga (Wike).

鈥淭here will be peace. We are meeting. We will reconcile.

鈥淥ne important thing in this life is respect. I want to earn the respect of the people, not force it on them鈥�. I鈥檓 with you completely,鈥� Fubara asserted.

Thanking the Rivers people and all Nigerians who have stood by him during the period of political turbulence, he acknowledged their loyalty and prayers.

Fubara also tasked his supporters to be open to the ongoing peace process to enable the state to move forward, the statement noted.

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