Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has said he accepted the state of emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu in the interest of peace, stability, and progress of the state.

In a statewide broadcast on Friday evening, shortly after resuming duties following the lifting of the emergency rule, Fubara described the last six months as one of the most challenging periods in the state’s history.

He explained that despite pressure, he chose not to challenge “the constitutionality of the declaration of a state of emergency, the suspension of democratic institutions, and all other actions endured during this difficult period.”

The governor commended President Tinubu for brokering a peace process that involved him, the FCT Minister, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, noting that all parties had now “agreed to bury the hatchet and embrace peace and reconciliation in the best interest of our dear Rivers State.”

“We believe the political crisis is now behind us and that peace and stability have once again returned to Rivers State, though not without the hard lessons learnt from the emergency rule,” Fubara said.

He stressed that the responsibility now rests on the state government, the House of Assembly, political leaders, and stakeholders to “put aside our differences, work for the common good, and advance the interests of our people above all else.”

Fubara assured that his administration remains committed to ensuring that the peace achieved endures permanently.