Following his reinstatement, on Wednesday, as the chief executive of the oil rich state, Siminalayi Fubara, according to those watching what’s happening in the state has become a lame duck sitting governor, who cannot no longer question his godfather, Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.
President Tinubu, yesterday, lifted the six months suspension of Governor Fubara and members of the State House of Assembly, putting to rest the controversy that has trailed the president’s action, particularly on the issue of whether he has the constitutional powers to suspend the democratic institutions in the oil bearing state.
In a statement released by the Presidency yesterday, Tinubu said peace has now been restored the the state, noting that he has no reason to extend the Emergency Rule.
Tinubu: “I am happy today that, from the intelligence available to me, there is a groundswell of a new spirit of understanding, a robust readiness, and potent enthusiasm on the part of all the stakeholders in Rivers State for an immediate return to democratic governance. This is undoubtedly a welcome development for me and a remarkable achievement for us. I therefore do not see why the state of emergency should exist a day longer than the six months I had pronounced at the beginning of it.
It therefore gives me great pleasure to declare that the emergency in Rivers State of Nigeria shall end with effect from midnight today. The Governor, His Excellency Siminalayi Fubara, the deputy governor, Her Excellency Ngozi Nma Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and the speaker, Martins Amaewhule, will resume work in their offices from 18 September 2025.”
Since the president restored Fubara, not a few are asking whether the governor has not been stripepd of his powers to govern the state, considering the how he gained his position back after serving the sis months suspension.
Those asking this question said this because they insist that Wike, who they accused of instigating Fubara’s suspension was believed to have been instrumental for his restoration by President Tinubu.
Recall that the minister was the first to disclose few weeks ago, President Tinubu’s readiness to end the Emergency Rule , albeit, the return of Fubara to the Porth Harcourt Government House, at a time many Nigerians were unsure of the persident’s next line of action .
By September 18, the state of emergency will expire, the assembly will return to their duties, and we will have government at the grassroots level,” Wike stated two weeks ago.
That the minister was the one to break the news is not in any way surprising to close watchers of the politics in the state, considering that he has been blamed for being instrumental to the declaration of the Emergency Rule by the president on March 18, 2025.
Those familiar with the political crisis which started following, what critics described as the governors’ refusal to pander to the FCT minister’s whims and caprices, said he must have also arranged with the president to suspend Fubara so that power can be returned to him, while the governor takes order from him.
It appears Wike has now achieved his aim, analysts said, because Fubara already gave an indication that he’s no longer prepared to rock the boat with Wike, his godfather-turned enemy, until recently that Tinubu brokered truce between them.
For instance, Governor Fubara had few weeks after his suspension, said surprisingly that he was no longer desperate to return to office, saying the suspension has allowed him to refresh himself, as there were no governance issues bordering him.
To underscore that the governor no longer had the guts to fight those contending the levers of state with him, Fubara had blamed some people in the state for setting him up against his former political benefactor, saying he no longer want people to fight on his behalf.
Fubara had on May 12, during the the service of songs held in honour of the late elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, in Port Harcourt, the state capital, organised by the Rivers Elders Forum said he is not desperate to return to office.
Fubara stated this at the service of songs held in honour of the late elder statesman, Edwin Clark, in Port Harcourt, the state capital, organised by the Rivers Elders Forum yesterday.
“Do you even know if I want to go back there? My spirit has already left there,” he said shockingly to his supporters.
After that remark, the governor had make other comments that seemed to suggest that he must have realised his mistake fighting Wike on whose back he rode to become governor, despite his weak background in the politics of the state.
Instructively, not a few insist that they are shocked at the way Governor Fubara now conducts himself, having on many occasions, before his suspension, threatened fire and brimstone against Wike, they added that the control of the state has finally been snatched from him, and his detractors now have him where they wanted him, as they now have a leash around his neck to control him as they wish.
Fubara Before His Suspension
As the clash between him and Wike hots up early this year, Fubara had ordered the demolition of the State House of Assembly complex, saying he wanted to rebuilt it after the fire incident that engulfed part of the complex. Not a few said then that the action was one of the biggest mistake by the governor.
Apart from this, Fubara also took a swipe at the Martin Amaewhule-led Assembly loyal to Wike that they can only exist if he wants them to. “Let me say it here, those groups of men who claim that they are assembly members, they do not exist. I want it to be on the record,” Fubara declared on May 6.
The governor had earlier on December 2024 presented the state 2025 Appropriation Bill to a three-member House of Assembly led by Victor Oko-Jumbo, his ally who was later suspended by the Amaewhule-led Assembly of 27 lawmakers loyal to FCT minister Wike.
The most defiant remark by governor Fubara, according to analysts was when in March this year, told the youths in the state to be ready for an-all out battle against Wike.
Fubara: “I want to say here today and to assure everyone that has stood with us; our strength is not on earthly things; that even when we fail here, assuming, as being contemplated, our victory is assured.
“Look, I want you to be in your highest spirit. It is not bout who wins, it’s about the glory and the honour of fighting gallantly.
“Being on the side of truth, not on the side of lies because of cheap favour.
“I want to assure you, all our supporters, I know the news that broke out on Friday must have dampened down your spirit.
“Brace up, what is ahead is more than what we just passed”.….……
“In as much as I don’t subscribe to violence, when the time comes for us to take a decision, I will lead the cause for that decision.
“Let me say it again, I am not scared of anything. The worst that will happen is for me to leave the office. Am I leaving the earth? Is it going to stop me from existing?
“So, I’m not even bothered about that, but the right thing must be done and must be said when the opportunity is given to us.
“So, let me thank everyone, more especially our youths. Be strong, don’t be perturbed, be strong, I assure you at the right time, you will get instruction.”
From all indications, the once fiery governor appears to have swallowed his pride, and is now ready to dance to the tune of his godfather, Wike.
Meanwhile, the magazine reported that the duo of Fubara and Wike has been urged by the State Elder Council, to ensure that they desist from anything that will re-ignite crisis in the state.
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