Idimogu commends President Tinubu for ending emergency rule in Rivers State

Stanley Ihedigbo

Former lawmaker representing Oshodi/Isolo Constituency 02, Lagos State House of Assembly, Honourable Sir Jude Chukwuemeka Idimogu, has hailed the President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for successfully reinstating the suspended Executive Governor of Rivers State, Dr Siminalayi Fubara.

Idimogu, in a statement released to the media on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, said the action is a demonstration of the inherent democratic character of the president.

He stated that he has always known Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a democrat who knows his onions and would always do the right thing at the right time, and being a man of his word, he has reinstated the governor.

Idimogu said, “I believe and trust, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, our President, as a democrat, that he would reinstate Fubara as the Governor of Rivers State.

“Of course, the suspension was for six months, in two days, when it expires, of course, it is expected, and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, our great President, a democrat, has done it,” Idimogu stated.

The APC Apex Leader in Lagos urged those involved in the imbroglio directly or indirectly to sheathe their sword and give peace a chance for the progress and development of Rivers State. “So I don’t expect anything less. For me, I believe that Fubara by now must have also learnt his lessons. And all those involved in the crisis that led to the emergency rule in Rivers State and suspension of democracy there for now would have learnt a lesson and give peace a chance. Nobody knows it all, but we should also know that they are representatives of the people; they should listen to the majority, even the minority, when they are speaking, they should listen, and act in the interest of Rivers State.

“For Wike, well, I said Fubara by now must have learnt his lessons, for Nyesom Wike, the godfather of Fubara, also whatever must have transpired, by now must have also, in fact, both men must have also learnt from it, both Fubara on his own, and Nyesom Wike, on his own.

“For me, when they became friends, godfather and godson, I was not there. Most of us were not there, so they know how they started, and I believe that they can amend whatever has led to their quarrelling and move forward. After all, every day is not Christmas; sometimes you fight, when you fight, you settle. But I want both of them to understand that, whatever position they are holding right now, they are holding it on trust for Nigerians.

“Both Nyesom Wike, as Minister of Federal Capital Territory, and Fubara, as elected governor of Rivers State, should know that the interest of Rivers, Rivers people, the interest of Nigeria, are more paramount than the interest of an individual.

“However, with wisdom, you have to balance it because I remember that some people ensured you get there, don’t betray the trust of those people that ensured that you get there, but let’s also advise, those people that make demands or requests, they should not be above the interest of Rivers State citizens and Nigeria. I wish Rivers people well, and I wish Nigeria well.

“However, let’s also learn a lesson from what happened. The events in Rivers have offered an opportunity for us to learn and to improve on whatever we are doing.

“I hope the experience must have been something that would be useful to Nyesom Wike and Fubara as governor of Rivers State,” he stated.

Giving thumbs up to the president for his role in successfully bringing peace back to Rivers, Idimogu described the president as a democrat, a man of peace and a man who respects the rule of law. “Asiwaju has always been a democrat, he has always been a man of peace, he has always been a man who respects the rule of law. I am not saying he is perfect, for me as a person, I believe in Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and I always believe that the opportunity given to him as the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he will do well. Forget about whatever distraction the opposition is bringing, and people who don’t like him. I am believing and my thought is that the opposition, well, they are doing their job, but I believe Nigerians should give him that maximum support, give him that support, Rome was never built in a day, give him that support so that he does well,” he added.

Speaking on the call by many that the outgoing interim regime should be probed. The erudite lawmaker responded that there is nothing wrong with calling someone to render an account of his stewardship. “The Interim Government in River State, of course, there is nothing wrong in probing. You see, at times, we are just afraid of the unknown; there is nothing wrong with probing. The fact remains that Nigeria has become something that people will just come and take it as their personal company, or personal home; you just do as you like. And there is no accountability; it is wrong, absolutely wrong.

“Let our dear President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, even use this opportunity to show Nigerians that he can hold some people accountable.

“So the man at the head of the Interim Government should give an account. Of course, all the allocations that have been paid, he should give an account; there is nothing wrong with that. It will also be a lesson to other people that might even have an opportunity like that tomorrow, but if he just sweeps everything under the carpet, it breeds corruption, and corruption thrives because nobody gives an account. Or you only give account to your godfather or those people that appointed you, no, it is wrong, we cannot continue doing things the way we normally do them.

“I will encourage Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to use it as an example to let Nigerians know that, yes, he can hold people to account, that is probity and accountability in every responsibility given by him to whoever, so that we learn from it, where there is a mistake, we learn from our mistakes.

“So I support the call for the Interim Government in Rivers State to be probed, to be held accountable. There is no big deal there; this is what I received from the federal government, and this is how I spent it. After all, it is a public fund. It is not his personal fund. So with due respect, let our president encourage that and get it done. It will be better for him as the president and better for our country, Nigeria,” Idimogu stated.