—Wike Says He’s Forgiven, Ready to Resume
More than 24 hours after the suspension of the six-month emergency rule in Rivers State, Governor Siminalayi Fubara has yet to be seen publicly, sparking speculation about his readiness to return to office.
President Bola Tinubu lifted the emergency on Wednesday, directing Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and lawmakers to resume their duties. While the House of Assembly quickly convened, neither Fubara nor his deputy has appeared in public.
Hundreds of supporters under the Simplified Movement had thronged the Government House, Port Harcourt, early Thursday with drums, dance troupes, and traditional instruments to welcome the governor. But after hours of waiting, the crowd dispersed in disappointment.
Among those present were recently sacked local government chairmen and former factional Speaker Victor Oko-Jumbo. Their show of solidarity caused a major gridlock on Nnamdi Azikiwe Road before it fizzled out by mid-day.
Presidential insiders earlier hinted that one of the conditions of the Tinubu-brokered peace deal was for Fubara to abandon his 2027 re-election bid and concede local government structures to his estranged political mentor, Nyesom Wike.
Speaking on Channels Television on Thursday, Wike, who is Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, declared that he had forgiven Fubara and that the governor was “ready to resume.”
“I have already said we’ve been speaking. I will not engage with a man I have not forgiven. Everything is over. We must move forward,” Wike said.
READ ALSO: I’ve Forgiven Fubara, He’s Ready to Resume as Gov — Wike
However, the governor’s silence and continued absence from public view have only deepened uncertainty about Rivers’ political future.
The Rivers crisis exploded in late 2023 when Fubara fell out with Wike, his predecessor and political godfather. Their feud led to violent clashes at the State Assembly and fears of a governance breakdown.
In March 2025, Tinubu imposed a six-month emergency rule on Rivers — suspending Fubara, his deputy, and the Assembly — and appointed former naval chief Vice Admiral Ibot Ekwe Ibas (rtd.) as sole administrator. It was the first such intervention in Nigeria’s democratic history and was widely criticised as unconstitutional.
During the emergency, Tinubu convened peace meetings between Wike, Fubara, and lawmakers. Reports suggested Fubara was compelled to give up a second-term ambition and allow Wike nominate local government chairpersons across the state.
The lifting of the emergency was hailed as a breakthrough, but with Fubara yet to appear, doubts remain whether peace has truly returned to Rivers State.