ADDRESS OF A NEW BEGINNING BROADCASTED BY HIS EXCELLENCY, SIR SIMINALAYI FUBARA, GSSRS, ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2025
My dear people of Rivers State,
I’m addressing you today as we mark the end of the six-month emergency rule declared by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, on March 18, 2025. It has been a challenging period for our state, and I want to acknowledge the difficulties we all faced.
When the emergency was declared, I chose to cooperate with the President and the National Assembly. I did this because I believe that no sacrifice is too great for the peace, stability, and progress of Rivers State. I also resisted pressure to challenge the constitutionality of the emergency rule because my primary goal was to bring an end to the crisis.
Over the past six months, the President graciously brokered a peace process. I’m pleased to report that our leader, His Excellency, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON, all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, and I have agreed to put our differences aside for the good of our state. We believe the political crisis is now behind us, and peace has returned.
Our Path Forward
Now, the responsibility lies with all of us—the government, the State House of Assembly, and all political leaders—to work together. We must ensure the peace we’ve achieved is permanent.
I understand that some of you have expressed fears and frustrations about the peace process. Your concerns are valid and heard. I want to assure you that nothing has been lost. We have ample opportunity for reconciliation and continued inclusiveness. As the saying goes, “the costliest peace is cheaper than the cheapest war.”
Let’s embrace this moment as a fresh start. We must work together to build a stronger, more prosperous Rivers State. My administration will continue its work in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and other key sectors, and we’ll ensure all projects are completed. I commit to working harmoniously with the Rivers State House of Assembly to recover lost ground and accelerate our state’s social and economic advancement.
On behalf of the government and the people of Rivers State, I extend our heartfelt gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his fatherly intervention. I also want to thank our leader, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, for his commitment to resolving the political issues. My thanks also go to the President of the Senate, His Excellency Senator Godswill Akpabio; the Speaker of the House of Representatives, His Excellency Dr. Abbas Tajudeen; and all members of the National Assembly for their roles in the resolution.
Finally, I want to thank you, the resilient people of Rivers State, for your patience, courage, and peaceful conduct during this period. Let’s draw strength from our shared identity as Rivers people. Our diversity is our greatest asset, and our unity is the strongest guarantee of our future. Let’s rise above bitterness and division to rebuild trust and foster inclusiveness for all.
Thank you, and may God bless Rivers State and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
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