Fubara to address Rivers residents in first broadcast since return to office

Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers, will address residents of the state today.

Speaking on Friday when he arrived at the government house in Port Harcourt, Fubara said he would address residents in a broadcast at 6 pm.

The governor, who was received at the airport by a crowd of supporters, said he was humbled by their show of support.

“I am humbled by what I saw at the airport. I was also briefed about what happened here yesterday. That reception really humbled me. It shows love, confidence, and solidarity. It is not just a celebration,” he said.

“The massive reception by the number of people who came out to celebrate is a reaffirmation of the bond between this government and the people that we are serving.

“I want to assure you that we will continue to do those things that have made you people love us. I want to appreciate everyone and to say that we love you.

“We are going to address the state officially by 6pm, and in that broadcast, every authority that gave support to this normally will be properly recognised”.

Fubara had yet to resume after President Bola Tinubu lifted the emergency rule imposed on the state.

On Thursday, the Rivers house of assembly reconvened and passed several resolutions, including a request for Fubara to submit the names of commissioner nominees and the 2025 budget.

Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, had been serving a six-month suspension since Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the state on March 18 over a festering political crisis.

Tinubu swore in Ibok-Ete Ibas, a retired admiral, as sole administrator to oversee the state during the emergency rule.

The political crisis in the state stemmed from a fallout between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), over the control of Rivers’ political structure.

The feud split members of the Rivers assembly and escalated into violent confrontations.

In June, Tinubu held a reconciliation meeting with Fubara, Wike, Martin Amaewhule, and other stakeholders.