Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has explained why he resisted calls from his supporters to challenge the state of emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu, saying he chose peace, stability, and progress for the people over confrontation. The governor made this known on Friday in a statewide broadcast, shortly after returning to the state following the expiration of the emergency rule. Fubara, his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, and the Chief of Staff, Edison Ehie, arrived at Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, two days after President Tinubu lifted the emergency rule and ordered his reinstatement. Their aircraft, with registration number 5N-BTX, landed at 12:15 pm to a rousing reception. Among those who welcomed the governor were former Commissioner for Information, Emma Okah; ex-Health Commissioner, Dr. Adaeze Oreh; former Nigerian Ambassador to the Netherlands, Orji Ngofa; ex-Environment Commissioner, Sydney Gbara; and former factional Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Victor Oko-Jumbo. Others present included ex-Youths Commissioner, Chisom Gbali; former Commissioner for Physical Planning, Evans Bipi; ex-NUPENG President, Igwe Achese; ex-Education Commissioner, Dr. Tamunosisi Gogo-Jaja; and former Port Harcourt City Council Chairman, Ezebunwo Ichemati, among others. President Tinubu had, on Wednesday, declared an end to the emergency rule, thereby concluding the six-month tenure of retired naval chief, Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, who served as sole administrator of the state. Rivers State has witnessed one of Nigeria’s most turbulent political crises, pitting Fubara against his predecessor and current FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike. Once allies, their fallout over control of political structures and resources split the House of Assembly, triggered impeachment moves, protests, and even the burning of the Assembly complex. President Tinubu had earlier brokered a peace deal that failed to calm tensions before eventually imposing the emergency rule. In a statement on the cessation of the emergency rule on Wednesday, made available by the Presidency, the President said, “The Governor, His Excellency Siminalayi Fubara, the Deputy Governor, Her Excellency Ngozi Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and the speaker, Martins Amaewhule, will resume work in their offices from September 18, 2025. “It, therefore, gives me great pleasure to declare that the emergency in Rivers State of Nigeria shall end with effect from midnight today (Wednesday).” Fubara was expected to resume on Thursday as many of his supporters thronged the gate of the Government House along Azikiwe Street, Port Harcourt, as early as 6am on Thursday, but the governor failed to resume. Why I obeyed emergency rule declaration’ Addressing the state, Fubara described the emergency rule period as “enormously challenging” but said he willingly abided by the declaration to allow room for peace to be restored. “As your governor, I accepted to abide by the state of emergency declaration and chose to cooperate with Mr President and the National Assembly, guided by my conviction that the sacrifice was not too great to secure peace, stability, and progress of Rivers State. “This was why I also resisted the pressure to challenge the constitutionality of the declaration of the state of emergency, the suspension of democratic institutions and all other actions that we endured during the difficult period,” he said. The governor commended President Tinubu for brokering a peace deal between all parties involved in the crisis, noting that the intervention helped reconcile him, Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly. “Our leader, Nyesom Wike, all members of Rivers State House of Assembly, and I as your governor have all accepted to bury the hatchet and embrace peace and reconciliation in the best interest of our dear state,” Fubara said. Expressing gratitude to Tinubu, the governor reaffirmed his loyalty to the president, promising never to take his intervention for granted. He also appealed to residents who remain sceptical about the peace process. “To those who have expressed genuine fear, frustration and uncertainty over the nature of the peace process, I assure you that your concerns are valid and understood.