Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has returned to Port Harcourt, the state capital, following the end of the six-month emergency rule imposed on the state by President Bola Tinubu.
Fubara arrived at the Port Harcourt International Airport at exactly 12:19 p.m. on Friday, where he was welcomed by a large crowd of jubilant supporters who had gathered at the VIP wing in anticipation of his return.
His arrival comes just over 24 hours after President Tinubu lifted the emergency rule, which was declared on March 18, 2025, in response to a protracted political crisis in the state.
Although the Rivers State House of Assembly resumed sitting on Thursday, Fubara was notably absent from the Government House, despite the presence of hundreds of supporters awaiting him. Addressing this, his predecessor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, stated during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today that Fubara was under no legal obligation to resume immediately.
Background to the crisis
The political turmoil in Rivers State began just months after Fubara assumed office in May 2023, as tensions quickly escalated between him and Wike over control of the state’s political structure, a frequent power struggle between incumbent governors and their predecessors in Nigerian politics.
The rift soon extended to the Rivers State House of Assembly, splitting lawmakers into opposing factions and paralyzing legislative activity. Amid rising tensions, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency on March 18, suspending Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and the Assembly.
The President appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd) as the sole administrator of the state during the emergency period. In a farewell broadcast on Wednesday night, Ibas officially handed over power and urged political stakeholders in the state to embrace dialogue, reconciliation, and mutual respect going forward.
In June, President Tinubu brokered a closed-door meeting involving Fubara, Wike, Assembly Speaker Martin Amaewhule, and other political stakeholders — a move seen as an attempt to ease tensions and pave the way for a peaceful resolution.
LG elections
Despite public criticism and legal contestation, Administrator Ibas inaugurated the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), chaired by Michael Odey, in July. Under his supervision, local government elections were held across the 23 local councils on August 30.
According to the official results, the All Progressives Congress (APC) won 20 council seats, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secured victories in three local government areas.
Governor Fubara’s return marks a significant moment for Rivers State, as political observers now look to see how the administration will navigate the post-emergency period and whether long-term reconciliation will take hold among the key political actors.
