Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, on Sunday attended his first church service since returning to office, marking a symbolic moment in his political journey.
The governor worshipped at Saint Paul’s Anglican Church in Opobo, his hometown in the Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area, alongside his wife, Valerie, and several political stakeholders.
Addressing the congregation, Fubara urged the Church to remain unwavering in its prayers as his administration enters a new phase.
Although the service coincided with the church’s 2025 Harvest of Divine Possibilities, he noted that his presence was primarily to offer quiet thanksgiving to God for His continued faithfulness to his family, Rivers State, and Nigeria.
“Nothing compares to the goodness of God, and the only fitting response is pure-hearted worship,” the governor said.
He expressed gratitude to the Church for its spiritual support, stating that the prayers offered during turbulent times were instrumental in sustaining both his family and administration.
“Those prayers helped avert shame and brought divine intervention,” Fubara noted.
Coinciding with the International Day of Peace, the governor also used the opportunity to advocate for peace, emphasizing the importance of unity and stability in governance.
A special prayer for the First Family was led by the Church’s Vicar, Venerable Emmanuel Nwuju, adding a spiritual dimension to what many saw as a politically symbolic event.
Governor Fubara, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was sworn into office on May 29, 2023. He succeeded Nyesom Wike, the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, who played a key role in his election victory. However, the relationship between the two soured over disputes surrounding control of state resources and political structures.
The fallout triggered a crisis within the Rivers State House of Assembly, leading to impeachment threats, public unrest, and the eventual torching of the Assembly complex.
To quell the crisis, President Bola Tinubu imposed a six-month state of emergency on March 18. That emergency rule was officially lifted last Wednesday, with democratic structures fully restored in the state.
“The Governor, His Excellency Siminalayi Fubara, the deputy governor, Her Excellency Ngozi Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and the speaker, Martins Amaewhule, will resume work in their offices from September 18,” President Tinubu announced.
He added, “It, therefore, gives me great pleasure to declare that the emergency in Rivers State of Nigeria shall end with effect from midnight today (Wednesday).”
The announcement sparked jubilations across the state. On Thursday morning, crowds of supporters gathered at the Government House in Port Harcourt as early as 6 a.m., celebrating Fubara’s return with songs, chants, and displays of solidarity.
