PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria — Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has returned to the state capital after six months of suspension under emergency rule.
His aircraft landed at Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, at about 11:55 a.m. on Friday, September 19, 2025, where supporters gathered to welcome him.
The return comes two days after President Bola Tinubu lifted the emergency rule imposed in March following a deepening political crisis.
Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, had been barred from office during the period, while Ibok-Ete Ibas, a retired admiral, served as sole administrator.
Despite the president’s directive for suspended officials to resume duties on Thursday, September 18, 2025, Fubara had not returned to the government house, disappointing hundreds of supporters who had assembled in anticipation.
On the same day, members of the Rivers House of Assembly reconvened for the first time since the emergency began.
In a state broadcast earlier this week, Ibas formally handed power back to Fubara, urging political leaders to embrace dialogue and mutual respect.
“Let us work for peace, unity, and development,” he said as he stepped down.
The crisis in Rivers was triggered by a power struggle between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now minister of the federal capital territory.
The dispute over control of the state’s political structure fractured the House of Assembly and led to violent confrontations.
In June, President Tinubu convened a reconciliation meeting with Fubara, Wike, Assembly Speaker Martin Amaewhule, and other stakeholders.
While tensions eased temporarily, the rift persisted and was widely viewed as justification for the emergency rule.
During his tenure as administrator, Ibas inaugurated the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) chaired by Michael Odey.
The commission organised local government elections on August 30, in which the All Progressives Congress (APC) secured 20 of the state’s 23 councils, leaving three for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
