Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara
Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on reinstated Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara to remain with the party and focus on elevating the state to new heights.
President Bola Tinubu had declared a state of emergency in Rivers on March 18 due to a prolonged political conflict, which disrupted governance in the state.
The conflict stemmed from a power struggle between Fubara and his predecessor, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Nyesom Wike, causing significant political tension.
Following the emergency declaration, Tinubu suspended Fubara and the state’s lawmakers for six months, appointing retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as Sole Administrator.
On Wednesday, the President lifted the emergency rule, instructing all elected officials to resume their roles effective Thursday.
In response, PDP Vice-Chairman (Lagos Central), Mr. Hakeem Olalemi, in an interview with NAN, encouraged Fubara to govern with courage and dedication.
“The governor should not muster any fear, the deed has been done. He should continue strong and be faithful in doing what is expected of him as the governor of the state,” Olalemi said. “Fubara must make Rivers great again.”
He urged Fubara to strengthen the PDP, the party that brought him to power, and not abandon it.
“The governor should nurture the party that brought him to power into a bigger platform, he should not jettison that party. He should ensure the party becomes stronger in the state and region,” Olalemi added.
Olalemi also called for unity among Rivers’ political leaders, emphasizing the need for peace and cooperation for the state’s progress.
“There is no need for us to clap, dance, jump, or celebrate that Gov. Fubara has been reinstated. He has gotten back the mandate freely given to him at the ballot but now weakened,” he said.
“Our advice to the legislative and executive arms is to work together and in harmony for the betterment of the good people of Rivers.”
He stressed that the interests of Rivers’ residents should come first, stating, “These are the people that voted them and their interest should supersede all politics and politicking.”
Olalemi further noted that the electorate deserves to benefit from democracy, saying, “They should reap the fruit of their labour.”
He also advised the 27 lawmakers who had previously aligned with the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the crisis to return to the PDP.
“I will advise those 27 lawmakers who initially pledged loyalty to APC, to retrace their steps back and come back to PDP fully to develop the party,” he said.
NAN reports that Fubara, his Deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, and members of the state assembly resumed their duties on Thursday following the end of the emergency rule.
NAN
