Fubara Ends Rivers Emergency Rule with Defining Speech, Thanks Tinubu and Wike as Crowds Celebrate Return

 On September 19, 2025, Governor Siminalayi Fubara delivered a statewide broadcast from Government House, Port Harcourt, closing six months of emergency rule with a call for unity, gratitude to national leaders, and a promise of rapid recovery for Rivers State.

Port Harcourt witnessed a dramatic political homecoming on Friday, September 19, 2025, as Governor Siminalayi Fubara returned to full duty after six months of emergency rule and addressed the people of Rivers State in a live broadcast that immediately set a new tone for the state’s fragile political landscape. The evening speech, aired across television and radio networks at exactly 6:00 p.m. West African Time, marked the official end of a turbulent period that began in March when rising political violence forced the federal government to declare emergency measures.

Governor Fubara arrived earlier in the day through Port Harcourt International Airport in Omagwa to a jubilant welcome that underscored the public’s hunger for normalcy. Supporters lined the road from the airport to Government House, waving banners and chanting songs of solidarity as his motorcade made its way into the city. Security was tight but calm, with police and civil defense officers ensuring a peaceful celebration. Observers described the atmosphere as both festive and symbolic, reflecting relief that the state’s political crisis had not spiraled into a deeper conflict.

Standing at the podium inside the Government House banquet hall, Fubara opened his address with a frank admission of the difficulties of governing under emergency conditions. “The last six months have been enormously challenging,” he said, acknowledging the personal and institutional strain that came with ceding parts of executive authority to federal security administrators. He explained that his acceptance of the emergency declaration was not a sign of weakness but a sacrifice to protect lives and prevent a total breakdown of order. “We chose peace over pride,” the governor declared, earning applause from an invited audience of community leaders, civil society representatives, and members of the diplomatic corps.

Fubara’s remarks carried a deliberate note of gratitude, signaling that reconciliation was now the priority. He paid special tribute to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, crediting the president’s “firm but balanced guidance” for helping Rivers State navigate months of uncertainty. He also acknowledged former governor and current Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, whose influence in Rivers politics remains substantial despite their well-publicized rivalry. “I thank President Tinubu for standing firm for national stability and I thank my predecessor, Nyesom Wike, for putting Rivers first during critical negotiations,” Fubara said. The acknowledgment drew a measured reaction from the audience, many of whom are aware of the tense relationship between the two men. Analysts interpreted the gesture as an olive branch intended to reduce the factional disputes that have threatened the state’s political cohesion.

The governor then turned to the future, presenting what he called a “stability roadmap” to repair the economic and social damage caused by months of political paralysis. Within the next two weeks, his administration plans to present a supplementary budget to the State Assembly focused on rebuilding infrastructure, accelerating workers’ welfare programs, and reopening stalled local government projects. He promised immediate attention to schools and hospitals that suffered neglect during the crisis and pledged to clear outstanding salary arrears within the next quarter. “Our children deserve classrooms that inspire learning, our workers deserve wages paid on time, and our communities deserve roads that connect rather than divide,” he said, laying out a vision of practical governance after months of political drama.

Throughout the speech, Fubara emphasized reconciliation. He appealed directly to rival factions in the Rivers State House of Assembly, many of whom are loyal to Wike, urging them to “bury the hatchet and place the people above personal ambition.” He invited opposition parties to participate in a new inter-party consultative forum designed to keep communication open and reduce the risk of renewed conflict. “Our people deserve peace, our children deserve progress, and history demands reconciliation,” he said, pausing to allow the words to sink in.

Reactions to the governor’s return and address were swift. Civil society groups such as the Rivers Peace Coalition described the speech as “a necessary reset,” praising his acknowledgment of federal and local actors who helped keep the state stable during the emergency. Leaders of the All Progressives Congress in Rivers issued a cautious welcome, urging Fubara to match words with action by ensuring that upcoming budget allocations reflect a true spirit of inclusion. Within the People’s Democratic Party, which controls most local government councils following recent elections, senior figures privately expressed relief that the governor chose conciliation rather than confrontation, a move they believe could stabilize party structures ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Ordinary residents of Port Harcourt also reacted with visible emotion. At Isaac Boro Park, where large screens broadcast the speech live, crowds erupted in cheers when Fubara promised to reopen stalled road projects and lift curfews in key riverine communities. “We just want to live normal lives again,” said Grace Nwokorie, a small-business owner who attended the public viewing. “If the governor keeps his promises, Rivers will heal faster than anyone expects.”

Political analysts note that the success of Fubara’s reconciliation agenda will depend on how quickly he can translate his pledges into tangible action. The coming weeks will test his ability to maintain dialogue with the House of Assembly, manage relationships with Wike’s influential network, and secure federal support for large-scale infrastructure funding. But Friday’s events signaled that, at least for now, the governor has regained both the moral authority and the popular mandate needed to steer Rivers back toward stability.

By the close of the day, the streets of Port Harcourt remained lively with celebrations that stretched into the night. From the airport reception to the Government House address, the message from citizens was clear: Rivers people are ready to move past crisis and embrace a future of cooperation. Whether the political class will match that sentiment remains to be seen, but Fubara’s carefully balanced speech has set a standard that both allies and opponents will find difficult to ignore.

As Rivers State begins this new chapter, the end of emergency rule stands as a reminder that political storms, however fierce, can give way to dialogue and renewal when leaders place the welfare of the people above personal ambition. Governor Fubara’s words on September 19 now set the benchmark by which his administration will be judged in the months ahead.

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Rivers State politics is far from settled, and the voices of everyday citizens matter now more than ever. What do you think about the silent maneuvers shaping the next chapter of this power game? Drop your thoughts in the comment section below and share this report with friends so more people can weigh in. Your perspective could spark the next big discussion that leaders can’t ignore.

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