BREAKING: Rivers Governor, Fubara Set To Resume Office With minimised Powers
Amidst the speculated reduction of his veto power, the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Siminalayi Fubara, is set to resume office on September 18, marking the end of a six-month state of emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu on March 18.
The news of the drastic reduction in the power of the Governor, consequent on his protracted rift with his predecessor and Minister of the federal capital territory FCT, Abuja, Barr. Nyesom Wike and his subsequent suspension, which regrettably lasted for a period of months, has left tongues wagging.
This is even as netizens consider it derogatory, to clip the wings of an elected, sitting Governor as a red of a perceived political interest.
Below are stipulated conditions for the governor’s reinstatement:
According to a presidency source, Fubara’s reinstatement is contingent on conditions that strip him of control over critical governance structures, including:
– Local Government: Fubara will not have control over the local government, with the All Progressives Congress (APC)-controlled local government chairmen working with him while opposing “vicious policies”.
– Rivers State House of Assembly: The governor will also not have control over the assembly, which will likely be aligned with the APC.
INFLUENCE OF MINISTER NYESOM WIKE
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, is expected to continue playing a decisive role in Rivers politics, with a source from the presidency stating that “Wike will take all the bullets for him”. This suggests that Wike will remain a key power broker in the state.
CABINET COMPOSITION AND DECISION-MAKING
Fubara will be presented with a list of commissioners already decided by Abuja, which he will forward to the House of Assembly for confirmation. Additionally, key appointments, project priorities, capital projects, and major expenditures will be dictated by the Presidency to avoid further clashes between the governor and lawmakers.
APC’S STANCE
The APC in Rivers State has declared its readiness to work with Fubara when he resumes office, while also holding him accountable for his actions. APC chairman, Chief Tony Okocha, stated that the party will collaborate with Fubara but will not hesitate to criticize him if necessary.³
IMPLICATIONS
Fubara’s return with reduced powers raises questions about the future of Rivers State politics and the potential for further conflicts between the governor and the APC-controlled assembly. The APC’s victory in 20 out of 23 local government areas in the recent elections may also impact the state’s political dynamics.
Earlier, a Facebook post by Nigeria News announced that the outsted Governor would be reinstalled on September 18, 2025.
The publication which bears the caption: ‘Fubara Returns! Rivers Governor Set to Resume Office on September 18’ read in detail…
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced that Governor Sim Fubara will be back in office on September 18.
“Chief Tony Okocha, the state APC Chairman, assured that the party is ready to collaborate with the governor once he resumes office. Speaking to journalists in Port Harcourt, he emphasized that while they will work together, the party will still hold the governor accountable when necessary.”
He stated:
“The governor who was suspended will return to the office on September 18. The APC will work with him when he returns. There are states where the governor and assembly members are from different parties, and we are committed to working together. That said, we will still speak up when policies are not in the best interest of the people.”
“Background: On March 18, President Bola Tinubu suspended Governor Fubara for six months following a state of emergency in Rivers State, also suspending the deputy governor and the state House of Assembly while appointing a sole administrator.”
