Fubara Returns After 6 Months: What Comes Next for Rivers State

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara is set to resume work six months after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared a state of emergency on 18 March 2025. 

The emergency followed a prolonged political dispute between Governor Fubara and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly aligned with Nyesom Wike, the former governor and now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). 

Tensions eased after a meeting hosted by President Tinubu at Aso Rock on 27 June 2025, where Fubara and Wike publicly reconciled. Wike said, “No more acrimony. Peace has finally come to the state,” and both men pledged to work together.

How the Emergency Played Out

During the emergency, President Tinubu appointed Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas as Sole Administrator, who then dissolved the State Executive Council and the boards of state agencies. 

In April, sole administrators were named for all 23 local government areas. In May, the Presidency sent a fresh 2025 Rivers State budget to the National Assembly after the Supreme Court nullified the version earlier presented by the suspended governor, and by June, lawmakers had passed a ₦1.485 trillion appropriation for the state. 

June also saw the formal reconciliation between Fubara and Wike, while the Senate confirmed Dr Michael Odey from Cross River State as chair of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) despite public pushback over appointing a non-indigene.

Elections and Aftermath

In July, RSIEC fixed 30 August for the local government polls, replacing an earlier 9 August date announced by former chair Justice Adolphus Enebeli (Rtd). The elections were eventually held on 30 August, with low turnout reported in some areas. 

The APC won 20 LGAs and the PDP won three, after which the new chairmen were sworn in. In the final days before the governor’s suspension was due to lapse, the Sole Administrator appointed boards and agency heads. 

A verification exercise covering state and LGA workers and pensioners reportedly uncovered an inflated wage bill and “savings” of over ₦5 billion; however, some workers and pensioners complained of unpaid August salaries and pensions. 

The acting Head of Service directed affected persons to report to their ministries, prompting questions about the net effect of the claimed savings.

Court Rulings Shift the Legal Terrain

In September, a Port Harcourt High Court struck out a suit challenging the emergency declaration and the LGA elections. Justice Stephen Jumbo ruled that the court lacked jurisdiction because such matters during emergency rule fall to the Supreme Court. 

He also held that RSIEC, not the governor or the Sole Administrator, conducts LGA elections, and therefore, the polls were lawful. 

Other cases remain pending in Federal High Courts in Port Harcourt and Abuja, as well as at the Supreme Court, where PDP governors have challenged Fubara’s suspension.

The Sole Administrator’s Scorecard

Receiving RSIEC’s election report, Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibas said he delivered on the President’s mandate to stabilise the state and restore grassroots democracy. “The mandate was clear: stabilise the state, rebuild institutions and return Rivers State to full democratic governance. 

With the conduct and swearing-in of council chairmen and councillors, we have achieved that,” he said. He added that a government White Paper would follow after a review of the RSIEC report and described the emergency as a necessity that underscored the value of peace and security.

Accountability or Acceleration?

As Governor Fubara returns, debate is already forming around priorities. The Centre for Human Rights and Accountability Network (CHRAN) is calling for an investigation into how state funds were managed during the emergency, with Director Otuekong Franklyn Isong arguing that Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) does not permit the President to suspend elected state officials. 

He contends the suspension effectively extends the governor’s tenure by six months and wants the Supreme Court to clarify the issue to prevent future disputes. By contrast, political analyst Olalekan Ige believes the governor should prioritise delivery over investigations. 

With only a few months left in 2025 and 2026 likely dominated by preparations for 2027, he argues there is little time to lose and urges a focus on policies and projects that improve daily life.

Rebuilding the Machinery of Government

A full return to normal governance will require rebuilding the executive team, commissioners, special advisers and assistants, to restore capacity and speed up decisions. 

Stakeholders also expect quick action on stalled works, especially the reconstruction of the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex, alongside roads, schools, health facilities and other infrastructure paused during the emergency.