Suspended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara is not anticipated to return to office despite his recent meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the latter’s residence in Lagos.

Reports indicate that photographs of Fubara’s meeting with Tinubu circulated widely on social media, coinciding with discussions regarding the ongoing crisis in Rivers State.

This situation places him in a precarious position, particularly as lawmakers aligned with former Governor Nyesom Wike have expressed dissatisfaction with his association with Tinubu.

ThePapers has learned exclusively that Fubara is currently lobbying for his reinstatement; however, he has not yet fulfilled certain conditions that were mutually agreed upon.

Sources in Lagos have disclosed that Fubara’s return is not imminent, contrary to some media reports, emphasizing that there are specific conditions he continues to negotiate, which may further delay his anticipated reinstatement. Additionally, another source has indicated that certain decisions would need to be reversed if his suspension were to be lifted. However, the governor appears to be attempting to appease Wike’s adversaries by neglecting these critical aspects during negotiations.

“As for the President, he has no problem in lifting his suspension today, but the suspended governor is trying to dodge some agreed terms which are part of the problem and there’s no way the crisis won’t continue if he returns.

“The President has told him to meet everyone affected and make peace with them, that everyone should speak in his favour and let the matter end in peace. But Fubara is ignoring some people of course.”

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Fubara’s major now is Pro-Wike who are yet to agreed on certain terms and are set to meet the president over their own grievances.

Meanwhile, former President Goodluck Jonathan is among high-profile Nigerians quietly lobbying for the reinstatement of suspended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, with mounting expectations that a resolution could be reached before June 12, according to Politics Nigeria.

It is understood that Jonathan has already engaged President Bola Tinubu in a lengthy telephone conversation, advocating for Fubara’s return “on or before June 12 in the spirit of Democracy Day.”

Governor Fubara was suspended on March 18 following a controversial presidential order. The decision, widely described as unconstitutional, has drawn sharp criticism from legal experts and political observers who argue that “there is no part of the Constitution which empowers the president to suspend/remove an elected governor,” even in the event of emergency rule.

Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu and state lawmakers were suspended for six months following heightened tension between the governor and his predecessor Nyesom Wike.