By Muhammad Mamman
In just six days, Rivers State will witness a political reset as Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Prof Ngozi Odu, and the 32-member House of Assembly are set to resume office on 18 September, marking the end of the six-month emergency rule imposed by President Bola Tinubu.
Fubara becomes the third governor since 1999 to be forced out by emergency powers — after Joshua Dariye in Plateau (2004) and Ayodele Fayose in Ekiti (2006). His anticipated return is stirring mixed feelings across the state, with expectations running high but overshadowed by the controversial tenure of Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas (rtd).
Ibas’ Contentious Rule
Ibas’ six-month stewardship has drawn heavy criticism from civil society groups, clerics, and political observers, many accusing him of overreaching his brief. Despite clear directives to act strictly as caretaker, he unilaterally sacked and appointed boards and parastatal heads, and presented a bloated ₦1.8 trillion budget to the National Assembly.
His spending priorities — ₦24 billion for CCTV, ₦30 billion for gunboats, and ₦23 billion for “contingencies” — further inflamed public anger, with residents lamenting the visible decline of Port Harcourt from its “Garden City” status into what critics now call a “garbage city.”
The August 30 local government elections, supervised under his watch, sparked widespread condemnation after the All Progressives Congress (APC) claimed 20 chairmanships and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) just three. Civil rights groups dismissed the polls as “a charade,” alleging pre-determined results and mass voter apathy.
Dr Jackson Omenazu of the International Society for Social Justice and Human Rights said: “Ibas turned constitutionality on its head. His conduct of the council elections marked one of the darkest chapters in Rivers’ democratic history.”
Rising Expectations for Fubara
The Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), Rivers chapter, has urged Fubara to launch a probe into Ibas’ financial management during the emergency rule, insisting that “Rivers people deserve to know how their resources were spent.” CLO Chairman, Sunny Dada, advised the governor to discard Ibas’ budget and present a new, people-centred fiscal plan through the State Assembly.
Analysts also expect the governor to restart abandoned infrastructure projects, restore transparency, and prioritise peace-building in a state fractured by political rivalries.
Yet doubts linger. Some activists argue that Fubara returns to office stripped of real power, with Abuja forces and local political heavyweights still holding sway. Others warn that with Wike’s allies back in control of local government structures, Fubara may find himself politically cornered.
“We have been thrown under the bus,” lamented one activist, accusing the governor of silence and indecision.
The Road Ahead
Observers say the governor must balance reconciliation with accountability. Dr Omenazu called for the outright cancellation of the disputed local government elections, warning that “peace without justice is disguised violence.”
Political analyst Engr Franklin Eyo added: “The overriding aspiration is to turn fragile peace into sustained democratic progress — neutralising rivalries while delivering development and good governance.”
As 18 September approaches, Rivers people sit on edge. For some, Fubara’s return represents hope for justice and renewal; for others, it raises fears of political theatre without meaningful change.
The crucial question remains: will Governor Fubara’s homecoming mark a genuine turning point — or simply a return to business as usual?
