The political atmosphere in Rivers State grew tense on Wednesday as the House of Assembly reconvened for the first time in six months following the end of emergency rule. Surprisingly, Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, were absent from Government House, Port Harcourt, sparking disappointment among thousands of supporters who had gathered to welcome him.
Loyalists of the governor had arrived from across the 23 local government areas as early as 7 a.m., filling the surroundings of the Government House with singing and dancing. By 7 p.m., after waiting nearly twelve hours without seeing Fubara, the crowd dispersed in frustration. While speculation mounted that the governor had been stripped of powers, some sources revealed that he was still holding meetings with political stakeholders in Abuja.
Earlier in the day, the outgoing Sole Administrator of the state, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), officially handed over to elected officials. Ibas, who had been in charge during the emergency rule, declared that President Bola Tinubu’s mandate of restoring order had been achieved. He called on Rivers people to give their full support to Governor Fubara, although he did not provide a financial account of his six-month stewardship.
Inside the Assembly chamber, lawmakers wasted no time in setting their legislative agenda. They urged the governor to submit a list of commissioner-nominees for screening and confirmation and to present a new appropriation bill that reflects current realities. They also demanded clarity on contracts and expenditures carried out during the emergency rule. Speaker Martin Amaewhule commended President Tinubu for restoring democratic institutions in the state and assured that the Assembly would work with the governor in line with constitutional provisions and the peace accord.
Meanwhile, reactions have continued to trail the unfolding events. Former governor and now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, revealed during a television interview that he had spoken to Fubara, who assured him of his readiness to resume office. Wike also confirmed that reconciliation had taken place between them and urged political actors to allow peace to reign. On the national scene, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar described both the suspension and reinstatement of the governor as unconstitutional and a sign of dictatorship. Labour Party’s Peter Obi also condemned the six-month emergency rule, calling it a misstep that weakened democracy, while the African Democratic Congress accused President Tinubu of setting a dangerous precedent by overstepping constitutional limits.
As Rivers State transitions back to democratic governance, all eyes remain on Governor Siminalayi Fubara. His eventual return to Government House will shape not only the political future of the state but also its ability to recover from six months of uncertainty.
