The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, said he spoke with Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, on Wednesday before President Bola Tinubu lifted the emergency rule in the state.

Wike explained that during the call, he informed Fubara of his travel plans back to Nigeria, and the governor also shared his own schedule.

He said that the discussion showed a renewed understanding between both sides after months of political crisis.

The former Rivers governor also pointed to the latest actions of the state assembly led by Martin Amaewhule as proof that peace is returning.

He said: “As I speak to you, as of yesterday, I spoke to the Governor (Fubara). I told him I was leaving that night to come back, and he told me he was leaving this morning,” Wike said on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday.

“So, I can tell you that, by the grace of God, peace has returned. And look at what the Assembly did today to set the tone, you can see peace; you can see we are prepared, for the interest of the state. Let’s move forward.”

When asked on why Fubara is yet to resume, he replied:

“I am not his (Fubara) protocol officer nor Chief Security officer. There is no law that says he must resume work today. He is a governor. I don’t understand the way we operate. Being sworn in today does not mean I will go to the office tomorrow.

“You don’t know what my programmes are. You don’t know where he is. Governance does not mean one must be in the office to govern.”

By Prince Uwalaka Chimaroke
18- SEPT- 2025

In Rivers State, a large gathering of residents who had converged on the Government House in anticipation of Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s resumption of duties quietly dispersed after hours of waiting without seeing him.

The supporters, numbering in their thousands, had assembled early on Thursday, September 18, 2025, to welcome the Governor following the official cessation of the emergency rule that had been in place since March. Many expected him to make a symbolic appearance or address the people, but by 5:00 p.m., the crowd had melted away, leaving the area calm and uneventful.

No official explanation has been given regarding the Governor’s absence. His deputy, Dr. Ngozi Odu, was also expected to join him in assuming full leadership responsibilities, marking the official return to civilian administration.

The transition followed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s announcement on Wednesday that the emergency rule was suspended. The President had explained that intelligence reports indicated a renewed sense of cooperation and commitment among stakeholders in Rivers State to embrace democratic processes.

The state’s former administrator, retired Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, formally handed over the reins of power on Wednesday night. In his parting address, he encouraged political actors to maintain peace, uphold mutual respect, and embrace dialogue as the state charts its course back to normal governance.

Despite the Governor’s absence, the day underscored Rivers people’s eagerness to witness a new phase of leadership, with many hopeful that democratic governance will foster stability and progress in the state.

By Benjamin Okala, Port Harcourt

Governor Siminalayi Fubara has formally resumed duties at the Government House, Port Harcourt, today following the expiration of the six-month emergency rule imposed on Rivers State. The return of the governor marks a significant moment in the state’s political trajectory, but it has also been greeted with stern warnings from his Ijaw ethnic nationality.

Ijaw youth associations, under different umbrellas, declared in strong terms that they would no longer tolerate Governor Fubara being misled into political crises by external actors whom they described as mercenaries. They alleged that certain figures had deliberately misinformed and manipulated the governor, pushing him into needless conflicts that serve only selfish interests.

At the center of their grievances is Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, a serving lawmaker in Abuja who hails from Imo State. The youths accused him of defrauding Rivers State to the tune of N63 billion within a period of three months. According to them, Ugochinyere allegedly deceived the governor into releasing the funds under the pretext of managing political crises, influencing judicial outcomes, and maintaining the structure of a party they described as nebulous the Action People’s Party (APP).

Speaking in Port Harcourt on behalf of the leaders of the various Ijaw youth groups, Comrade Pere Azazi said the time had come to draw the line. He emphasized that the governor must focus on the real task of governance which is delivering infrastructure, jobs, and security rather than allow himself to be dragged into the schemes of individuals who neither represent the interest of Rivers State nor that of the Ijaw nation.

The youths further announced that they had banned Ikenga Ugochinyere from ever stepping foot into Rivers State. They stressed that any attempt by him to breach this directive would be resisted. Their warning underscores the rising ethnic and political tensions in the state, especially in the aftermath of the emergency rule.

They also called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to swing into action immediately. The demand was for the anti-graft body to investigate and arrest Ugochinyere over the alleged embezzlement, insisting that Rivers people deserved to know how such a colossal sum of money was handled.

The groups argued that unless decisive action was taken, Rivers State risked sliding back into political instability. They maintained that accountability and transparency must remain the watchwords of Fubara’s administration if he was to enjoy the confidence of the people.

As the governor settles back into office, the mood in Rivers State remains tense but expectant. While many citizens welcomed the end of emergency rule as an opportunity for peace and development, the fiery declaration by Ijaw youths has placed the spotlight squarely on the relationship between Fubara and his alleged advisers. Whether the administration can navigate this storm without fresh upheavals may well determine the future stability of the state.