Allen Harry
Suspended Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara has begun the final leg of his six months suspension slammed on him by President Bola Tinubu in March.
The controversial suspension of the governor, his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Ordu and members of the State House of Assembly was accompanied by a declaration of a state of emergency by the president.
In doing so, President Tinubu had cited the festering political crisis in the state which he said may snowball into a full-blown anarchy if urgent and proactive steps were not taken to nip the situation in the bud.
The Scathing Condemnation
Despite the public outcry over his decision to suspend democratically elected officials, the National Assembly went ahead to give legitimacy to Tinubu’s action by endorsing it with controversial voice votes, further aggravating the situation.
The development paved the way for the appointment of retired Naval chief, Ibok-Ete Ibas as the Sole Administrator.
Legal experts, civil society groups, professional bodies including the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and political leaders across party lines denounced the move, saying it was unconstitutional and politically dangerous.
The NBA in a statement signed by its President, Maxi Afam Osigwe (SAN), said the move violates Section 305 of the Nigerian constitution, which outlines strict conditions for emergency rule.
Osigwe, noted that Section 305 grants the president the power to declare a state of emergency but with clear procedural safeguards to prevent abuses.
The NBA president also questioned whether the political crisis in Rivers State met the constitutional threshold for the declaration of emergency rule.
“The 1999 Constitution does not grant the president the power to remove an elected governor, deputy governor, or members of a state’s legislature under the guise of a state of emergency. Such actions amount to an unconstitutional usurpation of power and a fundamental breach of Nigeria’s federal structure, ” he said.
The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties, (CNPP), while criticising President Tinubu, described his action as a dangerous threat to Nigeria’s democracy and warned that such executive overreach undermined democratic governance and sets a troubling precedent.
In a statement signed by its Deputy National Publicity Secretary, James Ezema, the umbrella body of all political parties said: “The Nigerian Constitution does not grant the president the authority to suspend an elected governor or his deputy. Section 188 explicitly outlines impeachment by the State House of Assembly as the only legal process for removing a sitting governor. President Tinubu’s actions are not only unconstitutional but also a brazen abuse of power”.
Even with the condemnation, criticism and massive protests by women and youth groups, Tinubu did not back down. Rather than reverse himself, he has allowed the governor’s suspension to run its full course and the state to remain in political turbulence under the Sole Administrator.
Missed Opportunity and Dashed Hopes
There were hopes that the President would lift the suspension during his June 12 national speech. This was after he had midwife the peace deal between Fubara and his political benefactor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
It was also believed that a former Niger Delta warlord, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo and other prominent Niger Delta leaders had intervened and the President was going to allow Fubara return to his duty but the full text of his broadcast was read without lifting the suspension.
Worried by his silence, former Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson expressed dismay that on a day meant to celebrate democratic values, the President failed to address what he described as “a dangerous erosion of constitutional rule” in Rivers State.
Speaking at a press conference at the National Assembly shortly after the President’s national address, Dickson stressed that his concern was not about political affiliation or regional sentiment, but about defending the constitutional rights of the people of Rivers State.
He said: “This is not about Governor Fubara or his political party. This is about our Constitution. If we fail to speak out now, we endanger the future of our democracy for every Nigerian, North, South, East, and West.
“What is happening in Rivers State today could happen in Lagos or Kano tomorrow.
No one holds power forever. And no one should abuse that power to subvert the will of the people.”
Ibas Missteps
Entering the last month of the six turbulent months, Fubara is expected to resume duty, on Thursday September 18, 2025 which will officially mark the end of the political drama that has gripped the oil-rich state and drawn national and international attention.
During the six-month interregnum, there were expectations that Ibas under the supervision of the National Assembly would restore peace, especially among the gladiators, reduce the political tension and generally stabilize the state but he delved deep into politics, going as far as dismantling exisitng political structures in the state.
Ibas wasted no time asserting control by suspending political appointees loyal to Fubara, dissolving statutory boards, and installing new ones which drew the irk of people of the state, sympathetic to the suspended governor.
President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) Prof. Benjamin Okaba, said the action of Ibas was illegal, just like his appointment.
“Suspending the commissioners and even secretary to state government are all playing the script of those who are deliberate on state capture. They want to capture Rivers State and its resources at all cost and this is one of the two options that was available to them,” he said.
Similarly, a member of the Rivers State Elders and Leaders Council and former spokesman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Anabs Sara-Igbe, pointed out that the constitution didn’t allow a sole administrator to play the role of a governor.
He insisted that Ibas had no powers to sack commissioners and other political appointees just as “he also does not have powers to appoint local government administrators.”
The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) worldwide on it’s part, alleged that the target of those behind the scenes was to loot the state resources, adding that Rivers State was now under full blown dictatorship supervised by Ibas.
The IYC through its Secretary General, Maobuye Nangi Obu, strongly condemned the suspension of political office holders and appointees by the administrator, describing it as an affront on the people’s rights.
“The latest announcement by the Rivers State sole administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (retd.) suspending statutory commissions and boards with clear tenures in the state is an affront on the rights of the people and nothing short of a full-blown military dictatorship in action.
“This reckless move, executed under the guise of presidential authority, is a desperate attempt to remove all possible checks and balances to facilitate the looting of Rivers State’s resources”, Obu said in a statement.
Not minding the import of his action, Ibas reconstituted the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RISIEC) to hurriedly conduct fresh local government elections scheduled for August 30th.
The rush to conduct the polls few weeks to his exit has further raised suspicion about the sincerity behind it. More so, many legal minds have described it as unlawful, given that the timelines set by the Electoral Act were not met. For many observers, these moves were less about governance and more about restructuring the political terrain in favour of certain interests ahead of Fubara’s return.
Impact of the State of Emergency
Since the declaration of the state of emergency, civil service operations at the state and local government levels slowed.
Many development projects including the Port Harcourt ring road were either stalled or abandoned. The ongoing Eneka flyover which is part of the ring road project has become impassable because of the deplorable condition of the road there.
The streets of Port Harcourt the state capital has been overtaken by garbage with pervasive stench, posing grave environmental and health challenges to residents.
Grassroots political engagement in the once vibrant state has waned under the heavy-handed administrative style of the sole administrator.
Economically, Rivers State one of the top oil-producing states in the country has seen investor confidence waver. “No serious investor wants to put money in a state where political stability is not guaranteed,” said a Port Harcourt-based businessman, Ifeanyi Amadi. He said “The last six months have been about politics, not progress.”
The Fragile Truce with Wike
Fubara’s expected return next month has not come without strings attached. Multiple political insiders allege that the “settlement” with Wike was brokered under stiff conditions, the details of which remain shrouded in secrecy. Publicly, both camps have maintained a facade of reconciliation, but many question whether the truce can withstand the pressures of governance and lingering grievances.
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Wike’s significant influence at the federal level, having the ears of the president and willing not to let go his political structures remains Fubara’s albatross.
For the embattled Fubara, balancing the expectations of his supporters with the demands of his political benefactor will be a delicate dance. Already, he seems to have “surrendered” with rumours of him agreeing to complete his tenure and return to Opobo where he hails from without seeking a second term.
He may have also agreed to sacrifice most of his loyalist including his Chief of Staff, Edison Ehie, and SSG, Tammy Danagogo as part of the peace deal with Wike.
Expectations Upon Return
The people of Rivers State expect an immediate shift in governance priorities. Top on the list includes; the restoration of stalled projects from roads to schools to public health facilities.
Political inclusivity – reversing some politically motivated sackings and reinstating sidelined officials.
Economic revival – restoring investor confidence and reopening negotiations on stalled oil and gas investments.
Rule of law – undoing what critics see as unlawful actions taken during the interim administration.
Political leaders and civil society groups have urged Fubara to “be his own man,” warning that returning to office only to become a ceremonial figure under Wike’s shadow would deepen public disillusionment.
The Road Ahead
Rivers State’s political history is replete with godfather-godson fallouts, often ending in open confrontation. Whether Fubara can rewrite that script will depend on his political skill, the sincerity of the truce, and his ability to assert authority without triggering another crisis.
For now, the people watch, wait with bated breath, and hope that for no reason would the suspension be extended beyond the initial six months. If it happens, it will be another sad commentary on the democratic credentials of President Tinubu and finally tear down genuine governance in a state that is too important to Nigeria’s economy.