By Muhammad Mamman
Uncertainty continues to hang over the anticipated return of suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, with September 18 now shaping up as a decisive date in the state’s political crisis.
On 30 August, during the local government elections, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, hinted that the stage was set for Fubara to resume his constitutional duties. President Bola Tinubu had earlier declared a six-month emergency rule in the state on 18 March, with the option of an extension should peace remain elusive. As that six-month window draws to a close, Rivers residents are anxiously awaiting clarity on their governor’s fate.
Wike and Okocha Raise Hopes
Speaking after the council polls, Wike declared:
“By 18 September, the state of emergency will expire and the governor and State House of Assembly will return to their jobs.”
His remarks were reinforced by Rivers APC chairman and ally, Chief Tony Okocha, who confidently asserted that Fubara would be back in office. Okocha added that the APC would work with the governor upon his return, though stressing that he would be bound by the terms of the peace deal struck earlier this year – a settlement many say reduces him to little more than a ceremonial leader.
Fears of Extension Persist
Despite the assurances, speculation is rife that the emergency rule could be prolonged by three more months. Sources close to the state’s sole administrator, retired Vice Admiral Ibok Etteh Ibas, suggest he is keen to complete key projects – notably the reconstruction of the demolished House of Assembly complex – before handing over.
Civil service verification exercises under Ibas have also uncovered ghost workers and saved millions, earning him commendation from union leaders. These “gains” are being cited by loyalists pushing for his tenure to be extended.
Deep Distrust Between Wike and Fubara
Even if Fubara returns, reconciliation may prove elusive. The bitter rivalry between him and Wike has left scars among their respective supporters. Many of Fubara’s allies boycotted the recent polls, accusing Wike of monopolising political opportunities.
“The peace deal is a smoke screen,” one commissioner close to Fubara said. “Wike feels betrayed, and Fubara feels humiliated. Trust is gone.”
Some lawmakers who fought against Fubara are also said to be regretting their actions, with one admitting they were “pushed” into a “meaningless fight” by Wike, only to later discover much of the narrative against the governor was “based on lies.”
Council Polls and Legal Disputes
The August 30 council election itself remains controversial. Though hurriedly conducted, it was defended by Wike as necessary to ensure governance at the grassroots following the Supreme Court’s invalidation of Fubara’s earlier October 2024 poll.
Opposition parties, however, dismissed it as a “sham.” The African Democratic Congress (ADC) branded the exercise “illegal and unconstitutional,” accusing Wike of imposing his handpicked candidates on Rivers people.
Tinubu’s Final Say
With reports that Admiral Ibas met privately with President Tinubu last week in Abuja, attention is fixed on the Villa. Insiders suggest discussions centred on financial accountability under emergency rule and the modalities of a possible handover.
For now, Rivers remains on edge. Whether September 18 ushers in the return of Governor Fubara or yet another extension of emergency rule, the outcome will shape not just the state’s political future but also the balance of power between two men locked in one of Nigeria’s fiercest political rivalries.
