…As September 18, resumption date, nears
Gov Sim Fubara of Rivers State has been on suspension since March 18, 2025, when a state of emergency (SOE) was imposed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The SOE was the height of the impeachment push by 27 lawmakers of the state’s Assembly backed by Nyesom Wike, the FCT Minister in the fight for control of the resources and political structure of the state.
Tinubu said government had been grounded and that insecurity was on hand.
Now, as the end of the initial six months gets to an end on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, many believe that nothing would stop Fubara from mounting back his seat in the Brick House. He was expected to have returned even before now when he went and allegedly begged the powers that forced him out.
The biggest indicator was the declaration by Fubara’s fiercest political detractor, Tony Okocha, chairman of the stronger faction of the Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) that has the backing of the Minister, the NWC of the APC, and the presidency.
Okocha told newsmen at a press briefing two weeks ago that there was nothing on the way against return of Fubara. May saw these factors as return of peace, suspension served, structure back to where it use to be, etc.
He went ahead state categorically that the APC that pushed for the SOE, that jubulated over Fubara’s suspension, etc, would be ready to work with him upon return. He gave a condition: that Fubara would not attempt any obnoxious law or policy.
It was gathered that President Tinubu now has no reason to fear Fubara in Brick House as the Opobo-born governor has been de-fanged. Wike, who openly fought his godson has started defending him, saying it was not Fubara he was fighting but political wolves hiding under Fubara to fight him (Wike). Besides, the LGA structure he so demanded has fallen fully back into his bag.
Is it then a straight walk back to the Brick House? Many say it may not be so. Caution seems to be the watchword because the last time many believed strongly that Fubara was as good as back, it collapsed.
Many said they have learnt to wait and not jubilate too early.
Many say the body language of the Sole Administrator, Ibok ete Ibas, a retired vice admiral from Cross River, does not seem to give optimism to the Fubara camp. They say they do not know who the major obstacle could be at this moment.
Uconfirmed rumours said the Sole may have approached Tinubu for extension, giving reasons, but that Tinubu did not approve. No official source has confirmed this.
Read also: Fubara walks tight rope ahead Sept 18 resumption
Some sources close to government have pointed at the Rivers State House of Assembly complex still under construction (which the president used as reason that democracy had died down) as evidence that the state is not ready yet. The Sole Administrator even went to the site to berate the contractor for being too slow, a job he had praised twice.
The administrator has also shown a new verve of activity, lining up many projects and programmes he wants to execute, less than two weeks to departure time. The latest is his vow to rebuild the state’s public service, something that governors take a full term to attempt.
According to his spokesperson, the administrator reaffirmed unwavering commitment to building a modern, resilient, and effective civil service anchored on evidence-based policymaking and data analytics. The leaders of the civil service rejoiced and gave him an award as the best.
Earlier, he had announced plans to rehabilitate the biggest state secretariat in Nigeria, the Diete-Spiff Secretariat which takes billions of naira and over two years to attempt.
The move was dubbed a significant boost for the state’s workforce. The admistrator approved what his media team called: “The complete rehabilitation and modernization of the iconic Rivers State Secretariat Complex. The landmark initiative is designed to transform the secretariat into a modern, efficient, and conducive work environment, directly supporting the civil servants who form the backbone of the state’s governance. The Administrator also approved the provision of 106 housing units for civil servants.”
He also pledged firm and unwavering support to ensure the smooth and successful takeoff of the newly established Federal University of Environment and Technology (FUET), Ogoniland with vehicles, constructions, etc.
Other projects he has announced include rebuilding the N3.6Bn Soghai Farms, human capital rebuilding, etc.
Many say these projects may be a decoy to gain extension of term but Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface of YEAC-Nigeria said the administrator may be showing working to the last minute, not necessarily to stay put.
He said the matter is squarely in Tinubu’s hands who would either extend the SOE before September 17, or announce return of Fubara, in the absence of any political interest group mounting opposition to his return.
