Rivers State: The Return of Governor Fubara and the Triumph of Democracy
Professor Steve Azaiki writes Rivers State: The Return of Governor Fubara and the Triumph of Democracy
The recent return of His Excellency, Sir Siminalaye Fubara, to his rightful position as the elected Governor of Rivers State marks a turning point not only for the people of the state but also for Nigeria’s democracy. It is a moment that reaffirms the principle that every vote counts and that the will of the people remains the cornerstone of governance.
For six long and agonizing months, the people of Rivers State endured uncertainty, tension, and political turbulence. But, as the old saying reminds us, “after night comes daybreak.” The restoration of the Governor is therefore a victory not of one man, but of the democratic spirit that binds us together as Nigerians.
What matters now is not the politics of recrimination—who insulted whom, or who stood where—but the collective determination to place Rivers State above self-interest. The founding fathers of the state envisioned a land of unity, progress, and strength. They would turn in their graves if we reverted to the era of pull-him-down politics, gossip, and division. Today, Rivers people and all Nigerians must commit to peace, because peace remains the solid foundation on which development and progress are built.
This reconciliation would not have been possible without the statesmanship and leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose intervention brought this sad chapter of our history to a close. His wisdom and insistence on dialogue over discord have preserved both democracy and peace.
Special commendation also goes to His Excellency, Barrister Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, for taking the expected road to peace. His decision to embrace reconciliation was an act of courage, ensuring that the people of Rivers State were spared further division and unrest.
To Governor Siminalaye Fubara, the people of Rivers State owe gratitude. Your decision to sheath the sword and embrace peace in the interest of your people is a profound testament to leadership. By putting the welfare of your citizens above personal or political considerations, you have shown that true greatness lies in service and sacrifice.
Most importantly, credit must also go to the people of Rivers State themselves. Their willingness to accept peace, even after enduring months of uncertainty, has averted what could have become one of the worst political crises in modern Nigerian history.
With this resolution, Nigeria’s democracy has been restarted, rejuvenated, and strengthened. This is a victory not for one party or individual but for all Nigerians. The return of Governor Fubara demonstrates that dialogue, patience, and compromise can achieve far more than conflict or division.
Today, we celebrate Rivers State. We celebrate democracy. And we celebrate the courage of President Tinubu, Minister Wike, and Governor Fubara—three men who, in their own ways, chose peace over war, unity over division, and progress over stagnation.
Congratulations to the people of Rivers State, and indeed, to the people of Nigeria.
By Professor Steve Azaiki, OON, is Chairman National Think Tank, he wrote this piece Rivers State: The Return of Governor Fubara and the Triumph of Democracy
