Supporters of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, who converged on the Government House gate in Port Harcourt on Thursday, dispersed in disappointment after waiting in vain to welcome him.
The gathering, made up largely of members of the disbanded Simplified Movement, had mobilised from across the 23 local government areas on the directive of their leaders.
Among them were sacked council chairmen and political figures who played prominent roles during the state’s recent political crisis, including Amb.
Chijoke Ihunwo, Ichemati Ezebunwo, and the former factional Speaker of the House of Assembly, Victor Oko-Jumbo.
Arriving as early as 6 a.m., the supporters came prepared with flutes, drums, and dancing troupes, taking over the stretch of Nnamdi Azikiwe Road.
Their presence caused gridlock as motorists were forced to divert to alternative routes, many of which were partially blocked by the crowd.
READ ALSO: Crowds Besiege Rivers Govt House in Carnival-Like Welcome for Fubara
Despite hours of singing and dancing, the governor neither appeared nor communicated with the group. By 1 p.m., after frantic calls by their leaders yielded no result, the exhausted supporters began to disperse, boarding their hired vehicles back to their respective areas.
Political observers noted that the absence of key loyalists of Chief Nyesom Wike, including incumbent local government chairmen and known leaders in his camp, signaled a possible shift in Governor Fubara’s political alignment.
Sources suggested the governor’s silence reflected his reintegration into his original political family and waning interest in confronting his predecessor.
As of press time, Fubara remained unreachable, with questions about his whereabouts lingering among his core supporters.