Fubara To Address Rivers People This Evening

Mr Fubara resumes office after President Tinubu lifted the state of emergency following a peace deal between the governor and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.

Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State will deliver a state broadcast at 6 p.m. on Friday, his first since being reinstated by President Bola Tinubu.

The governor stated this shortly after arriving at Government House in Port Harcourt.

Mr Tinubu lifted the six-month emergency rule imposed on the oil-rich state on Wednesday, restoring democratic governance and reinstating Mr Fubara, his deputy, and the state legislators.

Although Mr Fubara was expected to resume on Thursday, he stayed away from the office despite hundreds of supporters trooping to Government House in Port Harcourt to welcome him.

The governor, accompanied by his wife and chief of staff, eventually arrived at Port Harcourt Airport around noon on Friday and was driven in a motorcade to Government House.

“I know everyone wants to hear something from me. In fact, they expected it when I landed from the aircraft,” he told supporters, adding that he was humbled by the massive crowd that welcomed him.

“I was also briefed with some photographs of what happened here yesterday,” he said, referring to the turnout of supporters on Thursday.

“That reception really humbled me. It shows love, confidence, and solidarity. I want to say that it is not just a reception, a massive reception by the people who came to celebrate, but a reaffirmation of the bond between this government and the people we are serving,” he said, reassuring the public that his administration would continue policies that endeared him to them.

“I want to appreciate everyone and to say that we love you. We are going to address the state officially by 6 p.m., and in that state broadcast, every other person who gave support to this normalcy will be properly recognised,” he added.

Background

Rivers was thrown into political turmoil after Mr Fubara fell out with his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now minister of the Federal Capital Territory, who had backed him to become governor.

The year-long crisis defied presidential interventions and degenerated into arson, loss of lives, and threats of impeachment.

On 18 March, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing the protracted political crisis and explosions that rocked a major oil pipeline.

The president suspended democratic governance and appointed Ibok-Ete Ibas, a retired chief of naval staff, as sole administrator.

Mr Tinubu lifted the emergency rule this week after Messrs Fubara and Wike reached a truce.

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