‘It was a father-son discussion’ — Fubara says after meeting Tinubu at Aso Rock

Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers, says President Bola Tinubu advised him during their meeting at the Aso Rock.

Fubara met with Tinubu at the State House on Monday evening — after he resumed as governor of Rivers following the lifting of the emergency rule in the state.

Tinubu had on September 17 announced the end of the emergency rule imposed on Rivers state since March 18, directing Fubara, Ngozi Odu, his deputy, and members of the state house of assembly to resume their official duties.

The president appointed Ibok-Ete Ibas, a retired admiral, as sole administrator to oversee the state during the emergency rule.

Fubara was expected to resume duty on September 18, but the governor was not in the state, as he was abroad.

On September 19, the Rivers governor arrived in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital, amid jubilation by his supporters.

‘HE ADVISED ME’

Speaking with State House correspondents after the meeting, Fubara said Tinubu advised him.

“You are aware that suspension was lifted at midnight on the 17th, and I came in on the 19th. Ideally, it’s proper for me to see Mr President and to tell him that I am back, and I have also resumed my responsibility as the governor of Rivers state,” he said.

“It is not much. It was a father-son discussion; I was telling him thank you and the areas where there should be any issue for him to guide me properly so we don’t be in any crisis. That’s all.”

Asked what the president told him, Fubara said Tinubu “advised” him.

Fubara reiterated that peace has been restored in the state.

“As far as I’m concerned, we have made peace. Fubara and his principal are working together,” he said.

When he resumed office, Fubara addressed Rivers residents and said he resisted the pressure to challenge the constitutionality of the emergency rule and the suspension of democratic institutions in the state.