Governor Fubara Returns to Office as Port Harcourt Erupts in Celebration, After Six-Month Emergency Rule

RYNI News | Omotayo Stephen . O
19 September 2025

In scenes more reminiscent of a national celebration than a political transition, Governor Siminalayi Fubara returned to the helm of Rivers State on Thursday, met by a tidal wave of support that swept across Port Harcourt like a jubilant storm.

After six tumultuous months under a federally-declared state of emergency, the embattled yet resilient governor resumed office, following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s revocation of the emergency rule imposed on March 18, 2025. The period, marked by intense political acrimony, legal battles, and deep divisions within the state, had temporarily stripped Fubara of his executive authority, handing control to Sole Administrator Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas.

But on this day, the streets of Port Harcourt told a different story — one of victory, vindication, and visible joy. From the Port Harcourt International Airport to the gates of the Rivers State Government House, thousands of citizens thronged the roads, waving flags, singing local praise chants, and hoisting placards with slogans like “The People’s Governor Returns” and “Our Mandate, Our Voice.”

Clad in a simple white kaftan, Governor Fubara stood atop his motorcade, waving back at the cheering masses — a living symbol of political endurance. For many, his return wasn’t just a personal victory, but a resounding affirmation of democratic legitimacy.

In his first address to the people, Fubara struck a tone of reconciliation and resolve.

“Today, we turn the page — not with bitterness, but with a renewed commitment to serve,” he said. “These past months have tested us, but Rivers people have shown that their spirit cannot be silenced. I return not to dwell in the past, but to shape the future.”

The governor’s suspension stemmed from a protracted political feud with his predecessor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, whose influence had deeply fractured the state’s political structure. The fallout led to the dissolution of the state executive council and the appointment of sole administrators across all 23 local government areas.

Although the federal government maintained that the emergency rule was necessary to restore order, critics — including legal experts and civil society organizations — have challenged its constitutionality, citing Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, which they argue does not empower the President to suspend elected governors.

As Governor Fubara retakes control, expectations are sky-high. Civil groups such as the Centre for Human Rights and Accountability Network (CHRAN) have already called for a probe into financial management during the emergency rule. Others, however, urge the governor to focus on governance and rebuilding trust, rather than wading into retrospective investigations.

Analysts agree the governor has little time to waste. With 2026 on the horizon and general elections looming in 2027, Fubara must urgently resume halted infrastructure projects, rebuild administrative capacity, and reengage a disillusioned electorate.

Interestingly, his recent reconciliation with Minister Wike, brokered by President Tinubu in June, may now serve as a political stabilizer, providing the opportunity to heal longstanding rifts and unify the state’s leadership.

Whether this marks a new beginning or a brief interlude remains to be seen. But for now, the drums of Port Harcourt are beating again — this time, for democracy.

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