- Fubara says peace and unity guided his refusal to challenge Tinubu’s emergency rule.
- Tinubu ends emergency administration after six months; Fubara reinstated.
- Massive crowd welcomes Fubara, deputy, and top aides back to Rivers.
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has revealed that his decision not to oppose the state of emergency earlier declared by President Bola Tinubu.
The Governor said this was based on a deep commitment to maintaining peace, stability, and long-term development for the people of Rivers.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that Governor Fubara made this known during a statewide broadcast on Friday after his return to Port Harcourt, following the official lifting of the emergency rule in the state.
According to him, although many of his supporters had urged him to contest the presidential declaration, he chose instead to prioritise the collective interest of the state over political confrontation.
“My decision not to challenge the emergency rule was deliberate and guided by the greater need for unity, peace, and progress,” Fubara said.
“The people of Rivers State deserve stability more than political battles.”
Fubara, accompanied by his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, and Chief of Staff, Edison Ehie, arrived at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, on Friday afternoon.
Two days after President Tinubu officially ended the emergency rule and ordered his full reinstatement as governor.
The aircraft carrying the governor, marked 5N-BTX, landed at approximately 12:15 p.m. to a warm and enthusiastic welcome by a crowd of supporters and political allies.
Among those who received the governor at the airport were several prominent figures, including former Commissioner for Information and Communications, Emma Okah; ex-Commissioner for Health, Dr Adaeze Oreh; and former Nigerian Ambassador to the Netherlands, Orji Ngofa.
Also present were the former factional Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Victor Oko-Jumbo; former Environment Commissioner, Sydney Gbara; and past President of NUPENG, Igwe Achese.
Other notable figures at the reception included former Commissioner for Education, Dr. Tamunosisi Gogo-Jaja; ex-Commissioner for Youth Development, Chisom Gbali; former Commissioner for Urban Planning, Evans Bipi; and several past local government chairmen, including that of Port Harcourt City, Ezebunwo Ichemati.
President Bola Tinubu had earlier declared the emergency rule in Rivers State, leading to the appointment of a sole administrator, retired Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, whose six-month tenure came to an end on Wednesday when the president formally lifted the emergency measures.
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