Rivers State Awaits Governor Fubara’s Return as Six-Month Suspension Nears End

By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News

Tinubu’s Intervention Froze Governance in Rivers for Five Months

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As the six-month suspension imposed on Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Professor Ngozi Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly draws to a close, the people of Rivers State appear to have mixed expectations about the resumption of democratic governance.

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President Bola Tinubu suspended democratic institutions in Rivers on 18 March 2025, citing escalating political tension between Governor Fubara and his political godfather, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike. In the wake of the suspension, former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd), was appointed as sole administrator. He immediately dissolved Fubara’s cabinet and suspended all political appointees.

Prior to his removal, Fubara had embarked on major people-oriented projects such as the Trans-Kalabari Link Road, the Port Harcourt Ring Road, and the reconstruction of the Rivers State House of Assembly complex destroyed in October 2023. His administration had also announced plans to revitalise the Soghai Farm in Tai LGA. However, most of these projects slowed down or stalled entirely during the emergency administration, despite assurances from Ibas that discussions with contractors were ongoing.

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Public Expectations of Fubara’s Return

Speaking to journalists, an APC chieftain, Hon. Stephen Deegbara, said the continuation of abandoned road projects, the promotion of civil servants, and the employment of teachers in schools should top the governor’s agenda. He stressed that Fubara must unite the state, mend fractured relationships, and align Rivers with the federal government while avoiding “crisis entrepreneurs” who profited from the political turmoil.

A Port Harcourt-based journalist, Olalekan Ige, echoed similar concerns. He emphasised the urgency of resuming critical infrastructure works such as the Elele-Omoku Road and the Trans-Kalabari Road, in addition to resolving pending issues around the abandoned Ring Road project.

Ige also called for immediate action on employment:

“Many schools, health institutions, and MDAs are lacking personnel. Rehabilitation of primary and secondary schools across the LGAs, bursaries for students, and the creation of a State Emergency Management Agency are urgently needed.”

Governance Stalled Under Military Administration

Another APC chieftain, Hon. Darlington Nwauju, lamented the stagnation of development in Rivers State over the past five months.

“As a Rivers man, I have completely lost interest in governance issues here, given the fact that governance has been frozen in the past five months. Even the easiest thing—paying salaries—became herculean under the military administrator. Governor Fubara will have to start from where he met the state in 2023.”

Political analyst Dr Obinna Nwodim also noted that the emergency rule truncated development:

“The average Rivers man has not seen tangible results. There is a big difference between what is happening now and what would have happened if the democratic structure had remained in place.”

Doubts About Fubara’s Political Freedom

However, not everyone is optimistic. Public affairs analyst Obinwa Akanwa argued that Governor Fubara has been politically weakened and may struggle to deliver:

“The governor has been boxed into a corner. He has been caged. As such, less development should be expected from his return.”

Looking Ahead

As Rivers prepares for the possible reinstatement of Governor Fubara, uncertainty looms over whether his return will revitalise stalled projects or whether political undercurrents will limit his capacity to govern effectively. What is clear is that after five months of frozen governance under emergency rule, the people of Rivers are eager for clarity, progress, and stability.