Why I resisted pressure to challenge Tinubu over emergency rule in Rivers

The reinstated Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has said he resisted pressure to challenge the declaration of emergency rule in the state and his suspension from office by President Bola Tinubu.

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Mr Fubara said this in a televised broadcast on Friday, the first since he resumed office following his controversial suspension after President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the state.

Emergency rule

On 18 March, Mr Tinubu declared emergency rule in the South-south state in the wake of a prolonged political crisis caused by the rift between Mr Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who is the minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

The president suspended Mr Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and the state legislators for six months.

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Many Nigerians and groups, including the NBA and PDP Governors Forum, had separately criticised Mr Tinubu for the declaration and suspension of the elected governor and lawmakers. They said the president’s action was a violation of the Nigerian Constitution.

Mr Tinubu only lifted the emergency rule on Wednesday, hours before the six-month period elapsed. He also asked the governor and other elected officials to resume their duties.

Fubara speaks

Speaking in the broadcast on Friday shortly after returning to office, Mr Fubara said he resisted pressure to challenge the emergency declaration in the interest of peace and Rivers’ progress.

“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,” he said.

“It is without doubt that the last six months have been enormously challenging for our dear state under the emergency rule.”

He recalled that Mr Tinubu, within the period of the emergency rule, brokered a truce between him and Mr Wike.

“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.

He commended President Tinubu for brokering the peace deal and hailed Mr Wike for his commitment to achieving peace in Rivers State.

Next line of action

Mr Fubara enjoined residents of Rivers State and his supporters to embrace the moment as a fresh beginning, stressing that his next line of action would be to face governance and continued reconciliation.

READ ALSO: Fubara calls Wike ‘our leader’, says peace has returned to Rivers

“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,” he said.

Continuing, he said: “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 well-being of all Rivers people.”