Fubara

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has said he deliberately chooses to appear “weak” in order to sustain peace and stability in the state.

The governor spoke on Friday in Lagos while receiving the 2025 Man of the Year Award presented by New Telegraph.

During his remarks, which focused on the burden of leadership, political disputes, and reconciliation, Fubara dedicated the honour to his predecessor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

“I do not care how you interpret it or misinterpret it. I also dedicate this award to somebody who discovered me, not minding the situation — the honourable minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike,” he said.

“He discovered me, and it is the discovery that gave me this loudness. Today is a very special day, and also special for everyone who has believed in me, and I know that for believing in me, you have a share of special pain.

“Some people have described these pains as weakness, while others say it is being strong. But I choose to be weak for a lot of reasons, weak because I want peace. Weak because we need to survive.

“Weak because I need to also protect those things that are dear, not just to me, but to our dear nation. Weakness is a virtue. It pays at the right time.”

Fubara thanked his family and residents of Rivers State for their patience and composure despite the prolonged political crisis in the state.

The development comes amid efforts to ease tensions between the executive arm and the Rivers State House of Assembly. Recently, President Bola Tinubu intervened and facilitated a truce between both sides after months of political strain, impeachment threats, and divisions within the legislature. Many lawmakers in the assembly are known allies of Wike.

The rift between the two political figures has played out publicly in recent months. Wike had opposed Fubara’s re-election ambition. He accused the governor of failing to honour an earlier peace agreement reached before the lifting of emergency rule in the state.

Earlier in the week, the FCT minister expressed optimism that the crisis between the executive and legislative arms would be resolved permanently following the president’s intervention.

Peace conditions linked to the dispute had earlier surfaced. One of the demands was the reinstatement of Sergeant Awuse, traditional ruler of Emohua kingdom, as chairman of the state’s council of traditional rulers. Fubara removed Awuse from the position in June 2024 and replaced him with Chike Worlu Wodo. Another demand involved the nomination of new commissioners.

In a fresh move, the governor dissolved the Rivers State Executive Council on Thursday. A day later, he forwarded a list of commissioner nominees to the state assembly for screening and confirmation.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has officially returned to office following the end of the six-month emergency rule declared by President Bola Tinubu.

Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, who served as Sole Administrator during the period, formally handed over to Fubara and addressed the state for the last time in a broadcast.

Tinubu had suspended Fubara half a year ago and placed Rivers under federal control.

On Thursday, the president lifted the emergency rule and reinstated the governor.In his farewell message, Ibas said: “My dear citizens of Rivers State, it’s with gratitude in my heart and humility in my spirit that I address you today for the final time as administrator of our beloved State.

“Six months ago, Tinubu entrusted me with this solemn responsibility of steering Rivers State through an extraordinary moment in its history.

“Today, I can say with conviction that the grace of God and through our collective effort the mandate has been accomplished.

“Law and order has been restored, local governments elections have been conducted and chairmen elected by the people now serve in office.

“Statutory boards and commissions have been reconstituted and are performing their duties, the state budget has been passed by the National Assembly providing a legitimate physical framework for governance.

These are milestones of progress that belong to all of us that reflect the resilience of the people determined never to let their state slip into paralysis.

“One of the enduring lessons of this season is that the exercise of power without restraint can cripple institutions and rivalry without dialogue clearly endangers democracy.

“As I reflect on this assignment, I do so with deep appreciation, I have met outstanding men and women across this state bureaucracy, diligent in their duties and devoted to our state. I have benefited from the wise guidance and counsel of statesmen who spoke truth at all moments.

“Now as I hand back the reigns of leadership to Sim Fubara, I do so with confidence and respect and I urge all Rivers people to support him wholeheartedly because leadership and followership is a shared responsibility.

“No matter how competent and clear a vision may be, it can only come to fruition and thrive with the active support of citizens. For me, this is the closing of another chapter in life devoted to service at sea, diplomacy and now in governance.”

The handover ends Ibas’ brief but eventful stewardship of Rivers State, while Fubara resumes his role as the elected leader of the oil-rich state.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Tinubu convened a high-stakes reconciliation meeting on Thursday night at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, aiming to resolve the political turmoil in Rivers State.

The closed-door session included Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, Rivers State Assembly Speaker Martins Amaewhule, and other lawmakers.

This comes after President Tinubu declared a state of emergency on March 18, suspending Governor Fubara, his deputy, and the entire State House of Assembly.

The discussions focused on restoring stability in the oil-rich state, though details of the agreement remain undisclosed.

By Uzair Adam

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday held a closed-door meeting with Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara at his Bourdillon residence in Ikoyi, Lagos.

The meeting, which was not previously announced, comes amid ongoing political turbulence in Rivers State.

Neither the presidency nor Fubara’s camp has released an official statement on the meeting, but it is widely seen as part of efforts to resolve the deepening crisis in the state.

The Daily Reality reports that Governor Fubara has faced relentless opposition since assuming office in 2023.

His dispute with his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, led to Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers on May 18, 2025.

In his announcement, Tinubu cited the collapse of democratic structures in the state, pointing to the December 2023 demolition of the House of Assembly and the prolonged deadlock that followed.

The Supreme Court also weighed in on February 28, 2025, stating that there was effectively no government in Rivers due to the absence of a functioning legislature.

As political watchers await an official update, Tinubu’s meeting with Fubara has heightened expectations for a breakthrough in the lingering crisis.