The suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has suggested he is no longer emotionally invested in returning to office following his suspension under a controversial state of emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu.
Speaking at a service of songs held in honour of the late elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, in Port Harcourt on Sunday, Fubara responded to public expressions of support from speakers who continued to refer to him as “Governor” and called for his reinstatement.
“My spirit has already left that place long ago,” Fubara added, distancing himself from the political turmoil engulfing the oil-rich state.
The event, organised by the Rivers Elders Forum, turned political as many attendees condemned President Bola Tinubu-led Nigerian government’s intervention in the state’s affairs.
Fubara, however, cautioned against inflaming tensions and described such comments as “personal opinions” that do not necessarily foster peace.
“Not everything is by ‘oshogbe,’” he added, using a local expression to indicate that confrontation isn’t always the best path forward.
He further expressed concern that some well-meaning actions by his supporters had inadvertently worsened his predicament.
The political crisis in Rivers State escalated sharply after a disagreement between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who is now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
Although President Tinubu brokered a peace agreement between the two in December 2024, the accord quickly unravelled.
On March 18, 2025, the President declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing a breakdown in governance.
He suspended Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all members of the state legislature.
A retired Chief of Naval Staff, Ibok-Ete Ibas, was appointed the sole administrator, effectively dissolving the elected government structure and placing the state under federal control.
The Nigerian government’s intervention drew wide criticism from several quarters, including a group of 11 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors who filed a suit at the Supreme Court challenging the legality of the President’s actions.
They argued that the imposition of emergency rule and suspension of duly elected officials undermine Nigeria’s democracy.
However, the National Assembly has urged the Supreme Court to dismiss the suit, arguing that it is procedurally defective and lacking in merit.
In its filing, the legislature claimed the court lacks jurisdiction and requested N1 billion in costs against the PDP governors for what it described as a frivolous and speculative case.
As legal and political battles continue to rage, Fubara’s comments at the memorial service have added a new layer of uncertainty to the crisis, raising questions about whether he intends to pursue reinstatement or walk away from the state’s top office entirely.
