END OF EMERGENCY RULE IN RIVERS STATE – A CALL TO HEAL, BUILD AND RISE
By,
Opuda, Alabo Dumo Lulu-Briggs, Inikeiroari VI of Kalabari Kingdom,
Paramount Ruler, Opuda Oruwari War Canoe Houses of Abonnema, Chairman, Platform Petroleum Limited.
Yes, we are great.
Great as a people whose voices refused to be silenced even in the dark hours of suspended democracy. Great because our resilience, though tested, never broke. Great because Rivers State has emerged from six months of bruising emergency rule, yet still stands, ready to rebuild.
On the 18th of March 2025, a proclamation from the President
stripped us, the people of Rivers State, of our elected Governor, our Deputy, and our House of Assembly, effectively silencing our mandate and placing a Sole Administrator over our destiny. We felt the weight of this imposition, and many of us within and outside the state raised our voices against what was clearly an aberration, unconstitutional and injurious to the spirit of our federalism.
For six months, Rivers State was held in political uncertainty. What were the results?
● Governance slowed considerably, affecting livelihoods, and households thrown into hardship.
● Investments suspended, as uncertainty scared away capital and choked the small businesses that fuel our local economy.
● Development projects stalled, as ongoing and much-needed infrastructure work were frozen.
● An enstranged and psychologically drained populace. Rivers people felt hard done by the political class, a strong sense of internal bondage and breach of pride pervaded. With communities disenfranchised, trust in institutions weakened, and the people forced to watch the silencing of their elected representatives.
Yet, as in the story of Nigeria herself, we are beaten but unbowed. On September 18th, the chains of emergency rule fell, and democracy returned to Rivers State.
Today, our Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, our Deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, and our legislators are back to their duties. This return is not just administrative, it is symbolic. The proof that the will of Rivers' people cannot be permanently suppressed.
But let us be clear: the true test begins now. The dividends of
democracy must be pursued with renewed and greater vigor. This moment calls us to higher responsibility.
What must follow?
1. Economic Recovery: Urgent steps to restore the lost jobs
opportunities, stimulate enterprise, and re-attract investors who turned away in fear.
2. Infrastructure Renewal: Resume the roads, schools, hospitals, and public works halted by political stagnation. Six months of silence must be redeemed with years of renewed efforts.
3. Healing of Social Capital: Leaders must rebuild trust with the
people, strengthen civic engagement, and make institutions work again for communities who felt abandoned.
4. Political Reconciliation: We must all learn from the hard lessons of the emergency rule. It's time to place Rivers State above self. Everyone must embrace the peace.
5. Governance Reform: Stronger democratic safeguards and conflict resolution mechanisms are non-negotiable. Never again should personal disputes escalate into state paralysis.
Fellow Rivers people, this is not a time for recrimination, but for renewal. Hatred and animosity have cost us too much. It is time to heal. It is time to build. It is time to rise.
Our struggles of these past months must not be in vain. Like Nigeria at 65, whose scars have become the rhythm of her unity, Rivers State must turn its pains into purpose and its losses into lessons. We must preserve what is ours, nurture what is budding, and invest in what can blossom.
At this critical juncture, I lend my voice, not as one above the people, but as one among the people, to appeal to all political actors, leaders, and citizens alike: let us embrace peace, however fragile, as the platform for growth. Let us pursue service with humility, governance with integrity, and politics with conscience.
Rivers State is undergoing transformation. And I believe, with unity of purpose, the sacrifices of our civil servants, the ingenuity of our business community, and the indomitable energy of our youths, we shall yet see a Rivers State that commands national admiration and global respect.
Let history record that at this turning point, we chose wisdom over war, progress over pettiness, and people over politics.
Indeed, Rivers State shall rise again.
Ceaselessly Yours,
Opuda, Alabo Dumo Lulu-Briggs, Inikeiroari VI of Kalabari Kingdom,
Paramount Ruler, Opuda Oruwari War Canoe Houses of Abonnema, Chairman, Platform Petroleum Limited.
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