Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has reacted to the State of Emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu and his subsequent suspension, blaming members of the State Assembly loyal to his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, for obstructing his efforts to comply with the Supreme Court’s ruling.
As reported by The Witness, President Tinubu’s decision to impose emergency rule in Rivers State has sparked controversy. In addition to suspending Governor Fubara, his deputy, and state lawmakers for six months, Tinubu appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as the administrator of the oil-rich state.
The president justified his actions by citing the ongoing political crisis, the implications of a recent Supreme Court ruling, and alleged sabotage of oil pipelines by militants reportedly loyal to Fubara amid his standoff with Wike.
In response, Fubara issued a personally signed statement urging calm and reaffirming his commitment to democracy. He accused Wike’s loyalists in the State Assembly of deliberately frustrating his attempts to restore order.
“My dear Rivers people, I address you today with a deep sense of responsibility as we navigate this unfortunate moment in our state’s political history,” Fubara stated.
He emphasized that his administration had prioritized security, governance, and the rule of law despite political tensions. He pointed out that, following President Tinubu’s peace intervention, his government had reinstated commissioners who had previously resigned and promptly acted on the Supreme Court’s judgment to restore stability.
However, Fubara claimed that his efforts were consistently undermined by lawmakers aligned with Wike.
“Unfortunately, at every turn, members of the Rivers State House of Assembly frustrated our efforts, making genuine peace and progress difficult,” he said.
Despite the crisis, Fubara reassured Rivers residents that the state remained secure, salaries were being paid, and development projects were ongoing. He urged citizens to remain law-abiding while vowing to engage relevant institutions to uphold democracy.
“We have always been a resilient people, and we will face this situation with wisdom, patience, and unwavering faith in the democratic process,” he concluded.
