Following Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s return to Government House in Port Harcourt, the Rivers Elders and Leaders Forum (RIVELF) has called on all parties to embrace a new era of peace and unity. The move comes after President Bola Tinubu officially ended the six-month state of emergency, which had paralyzed governance in the state.
In a statement released by the forum’s chairman and former deputy governor, Dr. Gabriel Toby, a collective sense of relief was palpable. He extended his gratitude to President Tinubu for heeding the public’s call and restoring democratic order to the state. “We are presented with a unique opportunity to reset and rebuild,” Toby said, welcoming the return of Governor Fubara, his deputy Professor Ngozi Nma Odu, Speaker Martins Amaewhule, and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly. “This is a moment for sober reflection, forgiveness, and rededication.”
The forum’s message is a plea for reconciliation. Toby urged Governor Fubara, lawmakers, and all political stakeholders to abandon old bitterness and work toward rebuilding trust. He emphasized the need for all communities to replace suspicion with brotherhood and resentment with renewed confidence.
This new dawn, according to the elders, is not just about a political truce but a complete reset for good governance. With a fully functional government now in place, leaders are being challenged to recommit themselves to their constitutional duties, with every decision guided by the best interests of the Rivers people.
While acknowledging the state’s diverse communities, cultures, and traditions, Toby underscored a shared destiny. “Division weakens us; unity strengthens us,” he said, calling on all residents—whether in government or opposition, rural or urban—to set aside differences and work together to tackle pressing issues like unemployment, insecurity, and infrastructural decay. The future of Rivers State, he stressed, hinges on this collective resolve.
The chairman’s final words were a call for calm and hope. He urged residents to reject violence and resist those who seek to create further division. He encouraged everyone to offer their support to the restored government, pray for their leaders’ wisdom, and actively participate in the rebuilding process. He hopes this period will be remembered as a time when the people of Rivers chose reflection over reaction, forgiveness over conflict, and unity over division.
