Rivers Emergency Rule, Suspension Not About Fubara, Says Former Presidential Candidate
Former Presidential candidate of the defunct Nigeria for Democracy, ND, in the 2019 general election, Asuquo Archibong, has informed that the emergency rule imposed on Rivers State and subsequent suspension by Presid3nt Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is not about Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Asuquo also, commended Mr President, for ending the six-month emergency rule and reinstating Fubara to office.
Recall that President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the oil-rich, Rivers State on March 18, 2025, following an ugly relationship between Governor Fubara and members of the State House of Assembly, which made it impossible for the Governor, to present the State’s 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 State’s affairs, for an initial period of six months, which elapsed on Thursday, September 18, 2025.
However, in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja, signed by the former Presidential candidate, Archibong described Fubara’s return to office as “respect for rule of law and democracy in the State.”
He said: “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, 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 relevant stakeholders to put the past behind them and give peace a chance, Asuquo further explained that the good thing is that Fubara has stepped into the office he was elected into by the Rivers electorate, urging the three arms of Government to work together.
“The executive branch is at the same level as the legislature and, same level as the judiciary, and they all have to work together for the betterment of the people. This is the principle of democracy.
“That’s why we have the three arms of Government, meaning that, they are all equal.”
He urged the Rivers State House of Assembly to be cordial with Governor Fubara in the interest of the state, commending Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, for his role in the reinstatement of Governor Fubara, after six months of emergency rule in Rivers.
