As Rivers State prepares for the end of six months of emergency rule, tension is mounting over the imminent return of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Prof. Ngozi Odu, and members of the state House of Assembly.
President Bola Tinubu suspended democratic institutions in Rivers on March 18, 2025, following a fierce political feud between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike. In their place, retired Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, was appointed sole administrator.
Projects Left in Limbo
Before the suspension, Fubara’s administration had launched key projects such as:
The Trans-Kalabari Link Road
The Port Harcourt Ring Road
Rehabilitation of the state House of Assembly complex (burnt in 2023)
Revival of the Soghai Farm in Tai LGA
However, since his removal, most of these projects have stalled despite Ibas’ assurances that contractors would be mobilised back to sites.
Stakeholders Outline Expectations
With Fubara’s reinstatement approaching, political leaders and civil society voices are highlighting urgent priorities.
APC chieftain Stephen Deegbara urged the governor to:
Complete abandoned road projects
Promote civil servants
Employ more teachers in primary and secondary schools
Mend political divisions and align the state with the federal government
Port Harcourt journalist Olalekan Ige stressed infrastructure revival:
“He must quickly revisit roads like the Elele-Omoku Road and the Trans-Kalabari Road. The abandoned Ring Road project with Julius Berger should also be resolved. Employment in schools, hospitals, and ministries is critical.”
Governance Frozen for Months
Another APC leader, Hon. Darlington Nwauju, lamented what he described as “policy somersaults” under the interim rule.
“Governance has been frozen for five months. Even payment of salaries has become a struggle. Fubara will practically have to restart governance from scratch.”
Political analyst Dr. Obinna Nwodim noted that ordinary Rivers citizens had seen little tangible progress under emergency rule.
“They truncated ongoing projects and slowed development. The state is worse off than if democratic structures had remained.”
Fubara’s Political Strength Questioned
Not everyone believes the governor will return stronger. Public affairs analyst Obinwa Akanwa argued:
“Fubara has been boxed into a corner. He is politically weakened, and expectations for development should be tempered.”
Fresh Allegations Deepen the Rift
Last week, the Coalition for Justice and Democracy (CJD) accused Fubara of waging a smear campaign against President Tinubu and Sole Administrator Ibas. The group alleged that the governor sponsored forged documents alleging mismanagement of ₦500 billion meant for President Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.
CJD dismissed the claims as “baseless blackmail,” insisting that Ibas operated strictly within his emergency mandate under close oversight from the National Assembly.
“Siminalayi Fubara has chosen bitterness and deceit. He is sponsoring falsehoods to tarnish the President and the sole administrator. These antics will not succeed,” the group declared.
What Next for Rivers State?
As the countdown to Fubara’s return begins, uncertainty looms over whether he can rebuild political alliances, restart stalled projects, and restore public confidence in governance—or whether his return will intensify the power struggle that plunged the state into crisis in the first place.
