Why I Didn’t Challenge Emergency Rule in Court – Gov. Fubara

Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has explained why he chose not to contest the state of emergency declared in the state earlier this year.

In a statewide broadcast on Friday, September 19, Fubara said his decision was driven by the need to prioritize peace, stability, and reconciliation over legal battles.

“I accepted the emergency rule and chose to cooperate with Mr. President and the National Assembly because I believed that no sacrifice was too much to secure peace and progress for Rivers State. That is why I ignored the pressure to challenge the constitutionality of the declaration, the suspension of democratic institutions, and other actions taken during this period,” the governor stated.

He recalled that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on March 18, 2025, imposed a six-month emergency rule following the deep political crisis in the state. According to him, the past six months were particularly challenging, but the peace process eventually brokered by the president helped resolve the conflict among all parties involved.

Fubara disclosed that he, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly had now agreed to put aside their differences for the greater good of the state.

He added that while the emergency period came with painful lessons, it also underscored the importance of dialogue and compromise.

The governor used the broadcast to express gratitude to President Tinubu for his “fatherly intervention” and for restoring democratic governance in Rivers. He also thanked the leadership of the National Assembly, stakeholders, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and citizens of the state for their resilience and support during the difficult months.

“To those who feared that too much was lost, I assure you that nothing has been irretrievably destroyed. The most expensive peace is still cheaper than the cheapest war. We must now treat this moment as a fresh start,” he said.

Fubara pledged to focus on governance and development, particularly by completing ongoing projects in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and other key sectors. He also promised to work harmoniously with the Rivers State House of Assembly to recover lost grounds and accelerate the state’s growth.

He ended his address with a call for unity:

“Our diversity is our greatest strength. Let us rise above bitterness, heal old wounds, and work together for a peaceful and prosperous Rivers State.”