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As Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, prepares to return to the Government House, Port Harcourt, on September 18, there are growing doubts about his political strength.
Fubara has been on suspension since March 18, 2025, when President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State following heightened political tensions and alleged militant attacks on oil facilities.
The political reconciliation between Fubara and his godfather, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has altered the power dynamics in the state.
According to Punch, both men’s support groups, “Simplified Family” (loyal to Fubara) and “Wikematics” (faithful to Wike), have been formally dissolved, leaving the governor without a visible grassroots base.
No Extension Of Emergency Rule – Administrator
Meanwhile, speculation had swirled that the State Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), was lobbying for an extension of the emergency rule.
His media aide, Hector Igbikiowubo, dismissed the claims in a chat with with newsmen
He said the administrator remained committed to leaving office once his tenure ends, stressing that his focus was on ensuring project continuity.
Igbikiowubo said, “When you have a construction project ongoing and the contractor has been mobilized, 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 the reality dictates otherwise.”
He maintained that Admiral Ibas was determined to hand over, pointing to the conduct of the recent local government elections as evidence of the administration’s commitment to restoring democratic governance.
“We are firmly committed to exiting office, which is why the National Assembly gave approval for RSIEC to proceed with the local government elections to restore democracy at that level,” he said.
Source: PUNCH
