Fubara Affirms Wike As “Our Leader”, Pledges Loyalty To Tinubu As He Resumes

Fubara Affirms Wike As “Our Leader”, Pledges Loyalty To Tinubu As He Resumes

Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers has reaffirmed his loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu while acknowledging Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), as “our leader” as he resumes office after six months of emergency rule in the state.

In a statewide broadcast on Friday, Fubara said the period of emergency rule, declared by the president on March 18, following a political crisis in the state, was “enormously challenging” but necessary to restore peace and stability.

“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,” he said.

The governor explained that he resisted pressure to challenge the legality of the declaration, noting that he opted for peace and cooperation instead.

“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,” he said.

Fubara said Rivers must now move forward, adding that political leaders and stakeholders carry the responsibility of ensuring that the fragile peace holds.

“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,” he said.

The governor expressed gratitude to Tinubu for what he described as a “fatherly disposition and decisive interventions” in resolving the political crisis.

“Personally, I will never take Mr. President’s kindness for granted, and for that, I hereby reaffirm my utmost loyalty and eternal gratitude,” Fubara added.

To Rivers people who remain skeptical about the peace process, he offered reassurance. “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,’” he said.

Fubara pledged to return to governance and development, citing progress made in infrastructure, education and healthcare in the past two years. He promised to complete ongoing projects and work harmoniously with the state house of assembly to “recover lost grounds and accelerate the social and economic advancement” of the state.

He also thanked Rivers people for their patience during the emergency rule, while acknowledging religious leaders, traditional rulers, civil society groups, youths, and political actors who supported the peace process.

“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,” Fubara said.

He further extended appreciation to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, and members of the national assembly for their roles in the resolution of the crisis.

Finally, he urged all Rivers people, regardless of political, religious, or ethnic affiliations, to work together in rebuilding the state.

“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. I 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,” he said.

“In all, I give glory to the Almighty God. May God bless Rivers State and all its people. May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”