The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed cautious optimism about the political future of suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State, who is presume to return to office on 18 September following the end of state of emergency.
Recall that the state of emergency which was declared by President Bola Tinubu on 18 March, 2025 is said elapse for 6 months.
Speaking with media recently, the Deputy National Legal Adviser of the party, Okey Osuoha, described the ongoing political arrangement in Rivers State as an aberration with grave implications for Nigeria’s democratic system.
He lamented that Governor Fubara had been largely absent from party activities despite being appointed to the PDP’s national convention planning committee.
“We are sure that when he comes back, he will begin to participate in the party’s activities. We have not lost all hope,” Osuoha stated.
Fubara is expected to resume office on September 18, when the six-month state of emergency imposed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on March 18 is scheduled to expire.
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However, sources close to the Presidency suggest that his reinstatement will come with significant limitations.
According to insiders, both the Federal Government and Fubara’s political mentor, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, are determined to maintain firm control over governance in the oil-rich state.
Earlier in June, President Tinubu hosted Fubara, Wike, and Rivers lawmakers in Lagos to mediate the prolonged crisis in the state. The agreement reached reportedly included conditions that weakened the governor’s hold on power.
One key part of the arrangement was last weekend’s local government elections, where the All Progressives Congress (APC) secured 20 out of 23 council chairmanship seats,an outcome widely seen as a major power shift in Rivers politics.
A Presidency source confirmed that one of the conditions for Fubara’s return was his agreement to cede control over critical governance structures, effectively curtailing his authority even after reinstatement.
