As the September 18 expiration date of the emergency rule in Rivers State draws closer, key political voices have expressed optimism about the imminent return of Governor Siminalayi Fubara to office, warning against any move to prolong the state of emergency.
Former House of Representatives member, Ogbonna Nwuke, and Jerry Omatsogunwa, an aide to the suspended Governor, both voiced their concerns in separate interviews with our correspondent in Port Harcourt.
Nwuke, who once represented Etche/Omuma Federal Constituency and served as Rivers Commissioner for Information and Communications, stressed that democratic institutions must be restored without delay.
He warned against what he described as “anti-democratic forces” attempting to float the idea of extending the emergency rule beyond its stipulated period.
“I am a Nigerian, and I believe in due process. There is no way an emergency rule can replace civil rule. Its tenure is coming to an end, and what is reasonable now is the return to proper democracy,” Nwuke said.
According to him, Rivers people have endured five months without democracy, a situation that has stalled development projects and left governance at a standstill. He insisted that there was no justification to retain the emergency measures, since the factors that led to their introduction no longer exist.
“For the past five months, Rivers’ people have not enjoyed democracy. Projects have stalled, and the current administration cannot even maintain basic cleanliness in the state. We hope democratic institutions, including the office of the Governor, will be restored without delay,” he added.
Echoing the same sentiment, Omatsogunwa, aide to the suspended Governor, expressed confidence that the return of civil governance was imminent following the successful conduct of the state’s local government elections.
“With the completion of the local government polls, the path is clear for democracy to return to Rivers State. We expect the Governor to resume office and continue the good work he started. He is a man of the people, and his people know and trust him. For now, the priority is maintaining peace in the state,” he said.
Both men urged stakeholders and citizens to remain vigilant while emphasizing that only a return to full democracy could guarantee peace, progress, and stability in Rivers State.
