The Rivers State Government House remained deserted on Thursday as Governor Siminalayi Fubara has not been seen in public nearly 24 hours after the expiration of emergency rule imposed on the state.
Recall that President Bola Tinubu had declared a state of emergency in Rivers in March following the protracted political crisis between Fubara and his estranged political godfather, Nyesom Wike, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
During the emergency period, Tinubu suspended Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, while appointing former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibot Ekwe Ibas, as sole administrator—a decision that drew widespread criticism.
However, in a national broadcast on Wednesday, President Tinubu announced that the emergency rule would lapse at midnight, saying there was no justification for its extension. He directed Fubara, his deputy, and the state lawmakers to immediately resume their duties.
While members of the Assembly convened plenary in Port Harcourt, neither Fubara nor his deputy surfaced publicly.
At the Government House, a large crowd of supporters under the banner of the Simplified Movement had gathered from across the 23 local government areas to welcome the governor. The group, which included recently sacked local government chairmen and former factional Speaker Victor Oko-Jumbo, arrived as early as 6 a.m., armed with drums, flutes, dance troupes, and traditional music to stage a show of solidarity.
The gathering caused a traffic gridlock along Nnamdi Azikiwe Road but began dispersing by mid-day when it became clear that the governor was not returning.
As of press time, the reason for Governor Fubara’s absence—and that of his deputy—remains unclear.
