Close aides to the governor confirmed to Punch that Fubara, who travelled to the United Kingdom after his much-publicised reconciliation with political godfather and predecessor, Nyesom Wike, has not yet returned to the country.
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Fubara, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was notably absent during the August 30 local government elections. In his own Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area, the PDP lost to the All Progressives Congress.
Overall, the APC clinched 20 of the 23 LGAs, while the PDP managed victories in just three.
On March 18, 2025, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers after an emergency security meeting at Aso Rock Villa.
He cited “prolonged political instability, constitutional breaches, and rising security threats” as reasons for the extraordinary measure.
Tinubu appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Étè Ibas (retd.), a former Chief of Naval Staff, as the state’s sole administrator.
“The Rivers crisis paralysed governance in the oil-rich state,” the President said, noting that the emergency intervention was to restore peace and order.
The Rivers political crisis reached its peak in December 2023 when Fubara ordered the demolition of the state’s House of Assembly complex.
Matters worsened after 27 lawmakers loyal to Wike defected from the PDP to the APC, sparking prolonged legal battles.
On February 28, 2025, the Supreme Court upheld the lawmakers’ status and slammed Fubara’s conduct as “unconstitutional and despotic,” warning that Rivers had “collapsed into one-man rule.”
The deadlock left the state without an Appropriation Bill as of March, further deepening governance paralysis.
A day before Tinubu’s proclamation, an explosion rocked the Trans Niger Pipeline in Bodo, Gokana Local Government Area. The following day, another blast tore through a pipeline manifold in Omwawriwa, Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni LGA.
The President alleged that militants sympathetic to Fubara were behind the attacks, which threatened federal efforts to boost oil production and curb leakages.
Supporters Brace For Possible Return
Despite speculation that the emergency rule could be extended, many in Rivers are preparing for the governor’s reinstatement.
Special Assistant to the Governor on Electronic Media, Jerry Omatsogunwa, told Punch that there was “excitement in the air,” though no formal reception arrangements had yet been made.
Omatsogunwa said, “It is about Rivers people. The Rivers people are excited. You know a man who has shown them that he loves the entire state, and such a thing happens; it is natural that now, with the date very close, they should be feeling a certain way. Rivers’ people are happy that he will soon come and complete his good works.
“It has nothing to do with me, but Rivers people in general are expectant and ready to welcome their most loved Governor because they are the ultimate beneficiaries of the projects. So they are waiting for him to come back and continue from where he stopped.”
Asked if the Governor has returned from his trip, he said, “Not yet.”
Media aide to the State Administrator, Hector Igbikiowubo, denied reports of an emergency rule extension. Igbikiowubo affirmed that Ibas will leave office once his six-month tenure ends and is eager to complete projects initiated during his tenure.
He noted that the administrator had been touring project sites to ensure contractors mobilised to the site were working according to specifications.
“When you have a construction project ongoing and the contractor has been mobilised, there is a limit to how much you can push. You can only hope that the project proceeds apace.
“You can’t expect that because of an emergency situation, they will cut corners to finish when reality dictates otherwise.
“We are firmly committed to exiting office, which is why the National Assembly approved for RSIEC to proceed with the local government elections to restore democracy at that level,” he explained,
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Alex Agwanwor, said workers are anxiously awaiting the arrival of Fubara, whom he described as “worker-friendly.”
He stated, “Our expectations remain the same. The Governor is the same person, and I don’t think he will change when he comes back.
“We have a very good relationship with him, and we hope that he will continue to advance the state and the welfare of workers.”
Asked if the NLC is preparing to welcome the suspended Governor, Agwanwor said the Congress will welcome Fubara and continue to work with him.
“I don’t know about any preparation. That is left for the politicians. But when the Governor comes back, we will welcome him and continue to work with him.
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“We are going to work with any government in Power because we are apolitical. Our major interest is the Welfare of our workers and then the larger Rivers people,” Agwanwor emphasised.
