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Emergency rule: Uncertainty in Rivers as Fubara delays return

Thousands of supporters, who had thronged Government House, Port Harcourt, on Thursday to welcome the reinstated Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, went home disappointed after he failed to appear.

Fubara was scheduled to resume duties as Governor of Rivers State on Thursday, following the end of the six-month emergency rule imposed on the state by President Bola Tinubu on March 18.

This comes after the President, on Wednesday, announced an end to the emergency rule, which ended the six-month tenure of ex-naval chief, Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), as Rivers’ sole administrator.

Rivers State has faced one of Nigeria’s fiercest political crises, pitting Fubara against his predecessor and FCT minister, Nyesom Wike. Once allies, their fallout over control of state structures and resources split the House of Assembly, sparking impeachment moves, protests, and violence, including the burning of the Assembly complex.

President Tinubu intervened with a peace deal, which failed to calm frayed nerves, before the declaration of emergency rule.

As tempers flared, locals and ex-agitators threatened to destroy oil installations should Fubara be impeached, as threatened by the pro-Wike Martin Amaewhule-led state House of Assembly through a notice sent to the governor.

A day before Tinubu imposed emergency rule, an explosion rocked a section of the Trans Niger Pipeline in the Bodo Community of Gonna Local Government Area in Rivers State. The following day, another explosion severed a pipeline manifold in the Omwawriwa axis of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area of the State.

President Tinubu intervened with a peace deal, which failed to calm frayed nerves, before the declaration of emergency rule.

As tempers flared, locals and ex-agitators threatened to destroy oil installations should Fubara be impeached, as threatened by the pro-Wike Martin Amaewhule-led state House of Assembly through a notice sent to the governor.

A day before Tinubu imposed emergency rule, an explosion rocked a section of the Trans Niger Pipeline in the Bodo Community of Gonna Local Government Area in Rivers State. The following day, another explosion severed a pipeline manifold in the Omwawriwa axis of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area of the State.

In a statement on the cessation of the emergency rule on Wednesday, made available by the Presidency, the President 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).”

Many of Fubara’s supporters thronged the gate of the Government House along Azikiwe Street, Port Harcourt, as early as 6am on Thursday, arriving from different parts of the state to await the governor’s return.

By about 2pm, when it became clear that Fubara was unlikely to show up, the supporters began leaving in droves, many of them wearing long, gloomy faces.

Some political leaders loyal to Fubara — including former local government chairmen recently sacked after the Supreme Court nullified elections held under his administration — were seen making frantic phone calls as they tried to ascertain the governor’s whereabouts.

Among the governor’s allies at the scene were former Commissioner for Housing, Evans Bipi; former Commissioner for Power, Solomon Eke; former Commissioner for Youths, Chisom Gbala; and Prince Emejuru, each leading their supporters to the Government House in anticipation of Fubara’s return.

Also sighted were sacked local government chairmen Chijoke Ihunwo, Ezebunwo Ichemati, Peter Amakiri, and Promise Reginald.

Pro-Fubara lawmakers in attendance included former factional Speaker Victor Oko-Jumbo, Sokari Goodboy, and others.

Former Rivers State Commissioner for Physical Planning, Emejuru, said, “Rivers people are happy that Governor Fubara has been reinstated. Just look at the streets and you will see who the true leader of Rivers State is. Sim represents the people, and the people represent Sim Fubara.”

On his part, Eke said the organic and unorganised celebrations are proof of the love Rivers people have for the Governor.

Eke stated, “Everybody is happy with what is happening. You can see that it is a spontaneous action; it is not organised. People just came out because of the announcement.”

According to multiple sources, Wike is allegedly insisting that the Secretary to the State Government, the Chief of Staff, and the majority of the commissioners that will be appointed by Fubara come from his camp.

The sources said that had the negotiations been concluded early, Fubara would have returned to Rivers, but that the drama had lasted till late on Thursday.

“We can’t say for now if any agreement has been reached,” one of the sources in Abuja told our correspondent.

However, speaking on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme, on Thursday, Wike distanced himself from the allegations, insisting he would not interfere with Fubara’s administration.

“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 said.

Wike dismissed concerns over Fubara’s absence following his reinstatement.

He added, “I am not his (Fubara) protocol officer. There is no law that says he must resume work today (Thursday). He is a governor. I don’t understand the way we operate. 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 further on Fubara’s whereabouts, Wike responded, “I am not his Chief Security Officer. I am not his protocol officer.”

Assembly tasks Fubara

Meanwhile, the Rivers State House of Assembly has called on Governor Siminalayi Fubara to immediately forward the list of commissioner-nominees to it for screening and confirmation.

The resolution was taken during the Assembly’s first plenary after six months of emergency rule and presided over by Speaker Martin Amaewhule at the Conference Hall of the Legislative Quarters in Port Harcourt on Thursday.

The Assembly also called on the governor to submit the Rivers State Appropriation Bill, while noting that members would review how funds were spent during the six months of emergency rule.

In a statement issued by the Special Assistant on Media to the Speaker, Martins Wachukwu, the Assembly gave details of the resolution.

The statement read, “Returning from a six-month emergency rule induced by the political impasse in the state in the recent past, the Rivers State House of Assembly, on Thursday, at its 1st Legislative Sitting through a Motion set the legislative agenda for the remaining part of the Third Season of the Tenth Assembly

It said the House Leader, Major Jack, on behalf of eight co-sponsors, in a motion averred that the House considered it imperative to set the agenda to reflect current realities, while House members in their contributions to the debate on the motion,  applauded the motion and expressed support for all the prayers therein.

Commenting on the motion, Amaewhule commended President Bola Tinubu for restoring democratic institutions in the state, declaring that, going forward, the House would work with the governor and abide by the terms of the peace parley and the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the interest of peace and good governance in the State.

The statement added, “The House resolved to call on Governor Siminialayi Fubara to forward the list of commissioner-nominees to the House for screening and confirmation in line with the Constitution and the terms of the peace parley.

“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 to address current realities; and ascertain what transpired in the last six months with regards to the award of contracts and expenditures from the state’s Consolidated Revenue Fund.”

Late on Wednesday, Ibas formally handed over the governance of the state to Fubara before departing Government House, Port Harcourt. In a state broadcast, he said he had fully implemented the mandate of restoring order as assigned to him by President Tinubu.

He stated, “Six months ago, President Bola Tinubu entrusted me with the solemn responsibility of steering Rivers State through an extraordinary moment in its history.

Today, I can say with conviction that by the grace of God and through our collective efforts, the mandate has been accomplished; law and order have been restored; local government elections have been conducted, and chairmen elected by the people now serve in their offices.

“Statutory boards and commissions have been reconstituted and are performing their duties. The state budget had been passed by the National Assembly, providing a legitimate fiscal framework for governance and development.

“These are milestones of progress that belong to all of us because they reflect the resilience of the people determined never to allow their state to slip into paralysis.”

He, however, said the state still required constant vigilance, sacrifices, and leadership anchored on enduring truth.

“We must be mindful, however, that statecraft is not a destination. Even the most advanced nations and countries must constantly renew themselves because governance is a living process.

“Rivers State will continue to require vigilance, sacrifice and leadership anchored on one enduring truth that governments exist to protect the people and to promote their welfare and wellbeing,” Ibas stated.

He noted that some lessons were learnt during the emergency rule.

One of the enduring lessons of this season is that the exercise of power without restraint can cripple institutions and rivalry without dialogue clearly endangers democracy.

“Let this chapter stand as a permanent reminder that the health of our polity depends not on who wins or loses but on how political actors manage their differences and in the strength of the institutions we preserve and the unity we nurture.”

Ibas reiterated that his position and task were solely about restoring peace and order in the state, which he boasted had been achieved.

“As I reflect on this assignment, I do so with deep appreciation. I have met outstanding men and women across the state, people and public servants, diligent in their duties and devoted to our state. I have benefited from the guidance and wise counsel of elders and statesmen who spoke truth at difficult moments. I am grateful to my family, whose support never wavered, and to the young aides who laboured to deliver on this mandate.

“I salute my former colleagues, the men and women in uniform whose courage and sacrifices remained the bedrock of our peace and security. Their dedication to service is unmatched, and Rivers State owes them a debt of gratitude.

“Above all, I thank you, the people of Rivers, resilient, patient, and hopeful. You stood firm through the storm and believed in the possibility of renewal,” Ibas said.

He added, “This journey was never about one man; it was about restoring dignity to governance and giving you back what is rightfully yours.

As I hand back the reins of leadership to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, I do so with confidence and respect. I urge Rivers people to support him wholeheartedly because leadership and followership share responsibilities.

“No matter how competent and clear a vision may be, it can only come to fruition and thrive with the active support of citizens. For me, this is the closing of another chapter in life, devoted to service in diplomacy and now in governance.

“I leave with gratitude to God, proud of what we have accomplished together and hopeful of what lies ahead. May history remember not just the titles we bore but the fidelity with which we have served.”

Reflecting on the reasoning for the emergency rule, he stated, “May this state never again be brought to the brink of collapse. May we always choose unity over division, dialogue over discord, and progress over paralysis. The Garden City must never lose its fragrance.”

However, before bowing out, Ibas carried out his last assignment on the midnight of Wednesday, as he swore in the acting Head of the State Civil Service, Dr Iringe Brown, as the substantive HoS.

Reacting to the action of Ibas, a rights activist, Charles Jaja, criticised the move, saying Ibas promoted favouritism over merit and seniority.

Jaja stated, “Ibas just wants to create problems for Governor Siminalayi Fubara, if not, why would he make such an appointment at midnight of his moving out of Government House?

And I think the onus is on Fubara to uphold integrity in the civil service by removing Iringe Brown as the Head of Service because her elevation did not follow the rules of civil service.

“This is not about witch-hunting. It is about maintaining integrity and demonstrating commitment and transparency in governance, which seeks to promote favouritism over merit and seniority.”

Rivers elders

Meanwhile, senior citizens of the state, under the aegis of Rivers Elders and Leaders Forum, led by former Governor of the state Chief Rufus Ada-George, called on Fubara, members of the state legislature, and other political stakeholders to sink their differences and embrace genuine reconciliation.

The forum, in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Thursday and signed by its acting chairman and former Deputy Governor, Dr Gabriel Toby, stressed the need for forgiveness and unity in the interest of the state.

The statement titled, ‘A Call For Reflection, Forgiveness, Rededication, And Unity,’ thanked President Tinubu for restoring full democratic governance in the state.

It read, “As we welcome the return of His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, Governor of Rivers State, Her Excellency, Professor Ngozi Odu, and the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Martin Ameawhule and other members of the Rivers State House of Assembly are presented with a unique opportunity to reset and rebuild. 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 and the well-being of our people.

“We call on the governor, members of the State House of Assembly, other political actors, and stakeholders to put aside bitterness, rebuild confidence in each other, and embrace reconciliation.

“Let our communities and factions replace anger with understanding, suspicion with trust, and resentment with renewed brotherhood.

“This new dawn also calls for rededication to service and good governance. The return of the Governor and a fully functional Assembly must not simply mark a political settlement but a fresh start rooted in accountability, transparency, and integrity. Leaders must recommit themselves to their constitutional duties, ensuring every decision is guided by the welfare and interests of Rivers people.

They added, “Support lawful governance, pray for wisdom for our leaders, and actively participate in rebuilding our state. Let this season be remembered as the time Rivers people chose reflection over reaction, forgiveness over conflict, dedication over neglect, and unity over division.

“May this moment usher in lasting peace, progress, and prosperity for generations to come.”