The Rivers Elders Council has called on Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the State House of Assembly to put aside their differences and work in unity. The elders said the state needs peace and stability after the end of the emergency rule.
The council noted that lessons must have been learned from the political crisis. They appealed to all parties to focus on reconciliation, peace, and development instead of conflict.
Chief Ferdinand Alabraba, the chairman of the elders’ council, said this in a statement released in Port Harcourt on Tuesday. The message was titled “End of Emergency Rule: Let’s Unite for Peace and Progress in Rivers State”.
In his statement, Alabraba praised the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for playing a major role in the peace process. He also commended Governor Fubara and the House of Assembly for setting aside their disagreements and preparing to resume their constitutional duties.
The elders warned individuals or groups who may still be holding grudges to stop inciting trouble. They advised them to prioritize the state’s interest instead of making statements that could create fresh problems.
According to the council, the end of emergency rule is a chance for reflection. They urged all leaders and stakeholders to think about the past crisis, how to prevent it from happening again, and how to sustain peace and progress in the state.
They also advised those still stirring division through media comments and rhetoric to stop immediately. Instead, they should allow Governor Fubara and the House of Assembly to work together without further distractions.
The elders reminded Fubara and the Assembly leadership that they had affirmed their reconciliation before President Bola Tinubu in Abuja. They stressed that this agreement must remain binding, and both sides should put the interest of Rivers State first.
They further commended the people of Rivers for their patience during the emergency rule. The elders praised President Tinubu for his quick action, which saved the state from what they described as “a disaster in the making.”
The council gave special thanks to Nyesom Wike for ensuring peace returned. They said he played a vital role in bringing both sides together and taking the matter directly to President Tinubu for approval.
The elders also praised President Tinubu for trusting Wike with a key role in his cabinet and for showing goodwill towards Rivers State. They assured Tinubu that Rivers people now strongly support his administration and its Renewed Hope Agenda.
It should be remembered that on March 18, 2025, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State. This suspended Governor Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and members of the House of Assembly for six months.
The move followed a political crisis between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike. Issues such as the demolition of the Assembly complex in 2023, disputes over legislative legitimacy, and security threats like pipeline vandalism worsened the crisis.
The Supreme Court also criticised Governor Fubara’s handling of the Assembly, describing it as “despotism” and saying the state had “no functioning government.”
During the emergency, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retired) was appointed as the sole administrator of Rivers State, though the judiciary continued to function.
Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, defended Tinubu’s decision, saying it was necessary to save the state from collapse. He explained that the President acted only after mediation efforts and careful evaluation, backed by the Supreme Court ruling.
