As the emergency rule in Rivers State draws to a close on September 18, stakeholders have called for the full restoration of democratic governance and the return of Governor Siminalayi Fubara to office.
Speaking in Port Harcourt, former House of Representatives member, Ogbonna Nwuke, who represented Etche/Omuma Federal Constituency and previously served as Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, said the time had come for civil institutions to be restored.
He expressed concern over speculations that the emergency rule could be extended, warning that such a move would undermine democracy.
“For the past five months, Rivers people have not enjoyed democracy. Projects have stalled, and even basic cleanliness in the state has suffered. With the emergency rule ending, what is expected is the restoration of democratic institutions, including the office of the Governor,” Nwuke stated.
He added that the conditions which justified the initial six-month intervention no longer exist. “Emergency governance cannot take the place of civil rule. What is reasonable now is a return to democracy,” he said.
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Echoing this view, Jerry Omatsogunwa, an aide to the suspended Governor, said the state was ready for transition. He pointed to the successful conduct of local government elections as evidence that Rivers was prepared to return to democratic leadership.
“We expect the Governor to resume office and continue his work. The priority now is maintaining peace and stability as governance returns to normal,” Omatsogunwa noted.
Both stakeholders emphasized the need for peace and stability as Rivers State prepares for the conclusion of emergency rule and the resumption of democratic leadership.