Rivers Crisis: Fresh demands may stop Fubara’s return as governor

Suspended Rivers State governor Siminalayi Fubara is facing fresh obstacles towards his return as the state governor following the six-month state of emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu a few months ago.

Despite all indications that both FCT minister Nyesom Wike and Rivers State governor Siminalayi Fubara have reached a dialogue with the intervention of President Tinubu to end the crisis in the state.

Fresh details have emerged from disgruntled supporters of Wike, insisting that Fubara’s return should come with certain conditions in order to end the political crisis in Rivers State.

According to a source within Pro-Wike’s camp who spoke on the condition of anonymity revealed that the suspended governor should not be given a second chance due to the damages he caused in the state, and his return should be on total restrictions under certain conditions.

“We are not aware of the peace talks until we meet the president. I would like to commend the President for being the father figure, and we appreciate his efforts so far, but in truth, Fubara does not deserve to be Rivers’ governor again. He has caused lots of damage in the state, and based on this, we shall demand certain things before we can accept him bac,k and that would be disclosed in the meeting with the President,” said the source.

On March 18, 2025, the President proclaimed the emergency rule in Rivers and suspended Fubara, his deputy,y and lawmakers in the state for six months in the first instance.

He also appointed Ibas as sole administrator to govern the state during the emergency, as approved by the National Assembly.

The suspension followed more than 18 months of political upheaval in the state, driven by a supremacy conflict between Fubara on one hand and his predecessor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, along with the Martin Amaewhule-led 27 lawmakers.