SUPPORTERS LEFT DISAPPOINTED AS GOV FUBARA FAILS TO APPEAR AT GOVT HOUSE AFTER REINSTATEMENT
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By: Sefiu Ajape
Thousands of supporters who thronged the Rivers State Government House, Port Harcourt, on Thursday to welcome reinstated Governor Siminalayi Fubara were left disappointed after he failed to appear.
Fubara was expected to resume duties on Thursday following the end of the six-month emergency rule declared by President Bola Tinubu on March 18.
On Wednesday, Tinubu lifted the rule, ending the tenure of Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.) as the state’s sole administrator.
Rivers had faced one of Nigeria’s fiercest political crises, pitting Fubara against his predecessor and now FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
Their fallout over control of state structures and resources divided the House of Assembly, triggered impeachment moves, protests, and even the burning of the Assembly complex.
Although Tinubu initially brokered a peace deal, it failed, prompting the declaration of emergency rule. During that period, ex-agitators and community members threatened to destroy oil facilities if Fubara was impeached.
Explosions on the Trans Niger Pipeline and a manifold in Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni LGA worsened tensions.
In his broadcast announcing the end of emergency rule, Tinubu said:
“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, 2025…
It, therefore, gives me great pleasure to declare that the emergency in Rivers State of Nigeria shall end with effect from midnight today (Wednesday).”
By 6 a.m. Thursday, crowds had gathered at the Government House gate on Azikiwe Street, some in colourful uniforms bearing Fubara’s portrait.
Bands played as women’s groups and political allies celebrated his reinstatement. But by 2 p.m., with no sign of the governor, the crowd dispersed in disappointment.
Former commissioners and sacked local government chairmen loyal to Fubara — including Evans Bipi, Solomon Eke, Chisom Gbala, and Prince Emejuru — were seen making frantic calls, trying to confirm his whereabouts.
An aide later disclosed anonymously that the governor was in Abuja and would return Friday.
Meanwhile, political tension over appointments appeared to delay Fubara’s return. Multiple sources alleged that Wike insisted the Secretary to the State Government, Chief of Staff, and most commissioners come from his camp.
Speaking on Politics Today on Thursday, however, Wike denied the claim:
“I cannot go and impose anything on the governor. Why would I impose anything on the governor? Assuming I go to the governor and say, ‘I want this,’ will the state collapse? I will not. I have no candidate, and I will not.”
Wike also dismissed concerns about Fubara’s absence, saying:
“I am not his (Fubara) protocol officer. There is no law that says he must resume work today (Thursday). He is a governor… Being sworn in today does not mean I will go to the office tomorrow. You don’t know what my programmes are. You don’t know where he is. Governance does not mean one must be in the office to govern.”
When pressed, he added:
“I am not his Chief Security Officer. I am not his protocol officer.”
The Rivers House of Assembly, however, wasted no time. At its first sitting in six months, presided over by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, the lawmakers urged Fubara to forward a list of commissioner-nominees for screening and to present a new budget.
In a statement, Amaewhule praised Tinubu for restoring democracy and declared:
“The House resolved to call on Governor Siminalayi Fubara to forward the list of commissioner-nominees to the House for screening and confirmation… The House further called on the governor to commence the process of coming up with an Appropriation Bill to cover the remaining part of the year.”
Before leaving office, Ibas highlighted his achievements during emergency rule, saying:
“Law and order have been restored; local government elections have been conducted… statutory boards and commissions reconstituted… and the state budget passed by the National Assembly.”
He urged Rivers leaders to “always choose unity over division, dialogue over discord, and progress over paralysis.”
But civil society activists criticised his last-minute appointment of Dr. Iringe Brown as substantive Head of Service, calling it favouritism.
Separately, Rivers elders, under the aegis of the Rivers Elders and Leaders Forum, urged reconciliation.
In a statement signed by Dr Gabriel Toby, they called on all stakeholders to embrace forgiveness, unity, and good governance.
“As we welcome the return of His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara… this is a moment for peace, sober reflection, forgiveness, rededication, and unity, a chance to heal wounds, restore trust, and refocus our energies towards the progress of our state,” the statement read.
They added:
“Division weakens us; unity strengthens us. We must set aside factional differences and work together to tackle unemployment, insecurity, infrastructural decay, and environmental degradation.”
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