Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, on Sunday attended his first church service since returning to office following the lifting of the six-month state of emergency in the state.
The governor, who worshipped at Saint Paul’s Anglican Church in Opobo, Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area, was joined by his wife, Valerie, and several political stakeholders.
Fubara described the service as a quiet expression of gratitude, noting that it was an opportunity to acknowledge what he called “God’s faithfulness” to his family, the state, and the nation.
Speaking during the worship, the governor also used the occasion of the International Day of Peace to appreciate members of the church for their prayers during the crisis and to appeal for calm as his administration resumes its duties.
“I came here today to thank God quietly for His faithfulness and to remind us all that peace remains the foundation of development,” he said.
The church service comes just days after President Bola Tinubu lifted the federal state of emergency imposed in March, following a political standoff between Fubara and his predecessor, Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike.
Reflecting on the difficult period, Fubara explained that he deliberately chose not to challenge the legality of the emergency order in court, stressing that his decision was guided by a desire to secure peace.
“As your governor, I accepted to abide by the state of emergency declaration and chose to cooperate with Mr. President and the National Assembly,” he said.
“I resisted the pressure to challenge the constitutionality of the suspension of democratic institutions because I believed that the sacrifice was not too great if it would guarantee stability and progress in Rivers State.”
Fubara pledged to prioritize reconciliation and inclusive governance as Rivers State transitions back to democratic rule.
