Rivers’ emergency rule not about Fubara – Ex-presidential candidate

 

The presidential candidate of the defunct Nigeria for Democracy in the 2019 election, Asuquo Archibong, has said that the emergency rule imposed on Rivers State and subsequently suspended is not about Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

 

This is as he commended President Bola Tinubu for ending the six-month emergency rule and reinstating Fubara to office.

 

Recall that Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the oil-rich state on March 18, following a frosty relationship between Gov Fubara and members of the State House of Assembly.

 

The development made it impossible for the governor to present the Rivers State 2025 Appropriation Bill before the legislature for its input.

The Federal Government swiftly waded in and appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as Sole Administrator to oversee the running of the state for an initial period of six months, which elapsed on Thursday, September 18, 2025.

 

In a statement issued on Friday in Abuja, Archibong described Fubara’s return to office as “A respect for the rule of law and democracy in Rivers State.”

 

He added, “The return of democracy in the state will promote peaceful co-existence. Everything that played out will strengthen democracy.

“Anytime we have an aberration in terms of governance or the rule of law, it’s a painful experience. The emergency rule was not particularly pleasant. We should naturally welcome the reinstatement of democracy in River State.

 

“It’s not really about Fubara, but the experience of democracy so that we can have uninterrupted dividends of democracy in the state.”

 

While urging the relevant stakeholders to put the past behind them and give peace a chance, Asuquo stated that the good thing is that Fubara has stepped into the office he was elected into by the Rivers electorate and urged the three arms of government to work together.

 

“That’s why we have the three arms of government, and they are all equal arms.

 

“The executive branch is at the same level as the legislature and is at the same level as the judiciary, and they all have to work together for the betterment of the people. This is the principle of democracy,” he added.

 

He urged the Rivers State House of Assembly to be cordial with Governor Fubara in the interest of the state.

He also commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for his role in the reinstatement of Gov Fubara after six months of emergency rule in the state.