Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has returned to the state capital, Port Harcourt, arriving at the international airport around 12:19 p.m. on Friday.
His arrival comes more than 24 hours after President Bola Tinubu lifted the six-month state of emergency in Rivers. Upon his arrival, the governor was welcomed by a large crowd of supporters who had been waiting for him at the airport’s VIP section.
While the House of Assembly had resumed its sittings the previous day, Fubara had not returned to the Government House then, despite a large gathering of supporters.
His predecessor, and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, clarified that there was no legal requirement for the governor to resume his duties on Thursday.
Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, had been out of office for six months after Tinubu declared a state of emergency on March 18, citing a political crisis.
This was a result of a long-standing power struggle between Fubara and Wike, a common issue in Nigerian politics. The conflict also led to a split among the state’s lawmakers. During the emergency rule, which ended on Wednesday, retired Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas was sworn in as the sole administrator.
Also see: Crowds Wait in Vain as Fubara Skips Rivers Comeback
In a farewell broadcast, Ibas urged political leaders to embrace dialogue and mutual respect. In July, during the emergency rule, Ibas inaugurated the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), which conducted local government elections in August.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) won 20 of the 23 council seats, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secured the remaining three.
This turn of events follows a meeting in June between the President, Fubara, Wike, and other key political figures, which suggested a path toward reconciliation.
