Just In: Anxiety over in Rivers as Fubara returns after emergency rule

By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja with agency report

Rivers governor, Siminalayi Fubara returned to Port Harcourt on Friday, thus ending anxiety about his return to office after President Bola Tinubu lifted the state of emergency that resulted in his six months’ ouster from office on Wednesday.

Fubara was received by a large crowd of his supporters when he arrived at the Port Harcourt International Airport at about 12:19 p.m.

The crowd had gathered awaiting his arrival since early Friday morning.

Recall that that President Tinubu on Sept. 17, lifted the emergency rule and reinstated Fubara, his Deputy and members of the House of Assembly.

However, the Governor did not resume office on Thursday to the disappointment of thousands of his supporters who had thronged the Government House, Port Harcourt in anticipation of his return to office.

While Fubara did not resume on Wednesday, members of the Rivers House of Assembly, however, held their first legislative session following the lifting of the state of emergency

At the session, the lawmakers restated commitment to legislative duties and bridging administrative gaps as it sets to approve Commissions for the various Ministries.

This followed a resolution reached by members to write Gov. Siminalaye Fubara requesting a list of commissioners nominee.

Speaker, Mr Martins Amaewhule, who Presided over the session noted that member were committed to bridging the gaps.

He admitted that there were various gaps caused by the six months suspension.

According to him, the house was ready to provide necessary legislative backings to smoothen all inadequacies and support good governance.

The lawmakers also resolved to invite Fubara for the presentation of 2025 Appropriation Bill without further delay.

Meanwhile, a youth leader, Mr Savior Oscar has commended President Bola Tinubu for ending emergency rule in Rivers, urging reinstated Gov. Siminalaye Fubara to focus on good governance.

Oscar who is also the President, South-South Youths Initiative said this on Thursday in Port Harcourt.

He said that as much as Rivers people were not happy with the emergency rule declared on March 18 in the state, they are grateful Mr President finally relaxed the emergency rule.

“Today, Sept. 18, 2025 our joy has been restored seeing that President Bola Tinubu had called off emergency rule in the state.

“We are happy that democracy has returned to the state once more, it will indeed remain indelible in our history.

“We will always remember that at some point we were subjected to emergency rule despite our opinions and criticisms.

“We urge Fubara to focus on completing the projects he started and should also fast-track good governance in all sectors until the end of his tenure.

“He should also understand that the massive support from the people was as a result of his quality and people-oriented services to state,’’ he said.

The youth leader also urged Fubara to be careful in dealing with politicians always those eager to remain in power, saying that such level of desperate people could breed disharmony.

Responding to pockets of protests in the last days of Ibas’s regime, the youth leader said that there is the need to look into their complaints of being owed their entitlements.

“We actually saw some viral videos showing security officials attached to Ibas complaining about unpaid entitlements.

“Two weeks ago, I was privileged to meet with some of the security aides at entrance of Government House, Port Harcourt.

“These aides were seriously lamenting that their entitlements had not been paid.

“I think the viral videos showing protests by these aides and possibly other issues should be looked into by Mr President,” he said.