Governor Siminalayi Fubara on Sunday attended his first church service since his reinstatement as Governor of Rivers State.
Accompanied by his wife, Valerie, and several stakeholders, Fubara worshipped at Saint Paul’s Anglican Church in his hometown of Opobo, Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area. He urged the Church to remain steadfast in prayer as his administration takes a fresh start.
Although the congregation marked its 2025 Harvest of Divine Possibilities, Fubara explained that his mission was a quiet thanksgiving for God’s faithfulness to his family, the state and the nation. He stressed that nothing could match God’s goodness except sincere worship offered with a pure heart.
The governor credited the prayers of the Church with sustaining his family and administration during turbulent times, saying such prayers had averted shame and brought divine intervention.
As the service coincided with the International Day of Peace, he reminded worshippers of the importance of peace in the state. The Church’s Vicar, Venerable Emmanuel Nwuju, led a special prayer for the First Family.
Fubara, elected on 29 May 2023 under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), succeeded former governor and current FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, once his political benefactor but now estranged ally. Their rift over state structures and resources triggered impeachment moves, protests, and violence, including the burning of the State Assembly complex.
President Bola Tinubu intervened in March by declaring a six-month state of emergency. However, he lifted it last Wednesday, restoring democratic governance. Tinubu announced that Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and the House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, would resume office on 18 September.
Supporters thronged the gates of the Government House in Port Harcourt early Thursday morning, celebrating the governor’s return to power.