Rivers Elders Downplay Fubara’s Return as Emergency Rule Nears End

As Rivers State prepares for the end of the six-month emergency rule declared by President Bola Tinubu, some elders in the state have expressed doubts about the political resurgence of suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara. The elders argue that the prolonged absence from office has weakened Fubara’s influence, consolidated the power of his political godfather and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and left the state deeply divided.

The emergency rule, declared on March 16, 2025, followed political unrest and reported attacks on vital oil pipelines. President Tinubu suspended Governor Fubara, his deputy Prof. Ngozi Odu, and the Rivers State House of Assembly, installing former Chief of Naval Staff Ibok-Ete Ibas as the state administrator. While the measure was intended to restore peace and stability, critics now argue that it has significantly altered the state’s political dynamics.

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“Rivers State Has Been Captured”

In an interview with Punch, Sunny Chukumele, a member of the Rivers State Elders Council and convener of the Coalition of Rivers State Leaders of Thought, lamented what he described as the “capture” of the state under the emergency rule.

“The state is captured. That is my position. We will only get back to where we were before the liberation, and now it is back to Egypt. Rivers State has been successfully captured,” Chukumele declared.

He accused President Tinubu of prioritizing his 2027 re-election ambitions over the well-being of Rivers people, arguing that Governor Fubara had been subdued to create a fragile peace. According to him, Wike has now positioned himself as the dominant political force in the state, leaving Fubara weakened and sidelined.

“The state is divided into two—Nyesom Wike and Rivers State. The governor has been cowed for the so-called peace to reign. But that peace is in the graveyard, and it is unfortunate. Rivers people look helpless, desolate, and abandoned to their fate,” he added.

Chukumele stressed that while the political atmosphere appeared calm, it was an uneasy calm that masked deeper divisions. He noted that the people would ultimately decide the state’s future, but for now, the influence of Wike was undeniable.

“Damage Has Been Done”

Another elder, Asukewe Iko-Awaji, a member of the Rivers Elders Forum, echoed these concerns, emphasizing that Fubara’s long absence had eroded his momentum and left lasting damage on both political relationships and the state’s economy.

“The truth is that damage has been made. That spirit of brotherhood is no longer there. The bad seed has been sown,” Iko-Awaji said.

He warned that Fubara’s return would not restore cordial relations among political actors, as trust had already been broken. “If Fubara returns, the cordial relationship amongst them won’t be there again. They will be suspicious of each other because the bad egg has been laid. This is what the Rivers people will face. It will take them months to blend again.”

On the economic front, Iko-Awaji lamented that key projects were abandoned during the administrator’s tenure, with several companies pulling out of the state. “The man has been away from office for six months. Some of the companies working in the state have pulled out, and it will take another six months to put himself together to bring back these companies,” he explained.

He concluded that the emergency rule had caused setbacks that would require significant time and effort to reverse.

Wike’s Influence Still Strong

While some elders see Fubara’s return as inconsequential, allies of Nyesom Wike argue that the political dynamics have not drastically changed. Olaka Wogu, a close associate of the FCT Minister, maintained that Wike’s approach to politics has been misinterpreted.

“Sometimes people over-speculate on Wike. The man puts things in plain sight, but people don’t listen. Wike will tell you, ‘I wasn’t for a state of emergency, I was going to impeach him. We have resolved, we are moving on, and I will be honest and I will be frank. I will say it as I want.’ That’s how Wike does things, it is pure honesty,” Wogu said.

He stressed that Wike’s political structure remained intact and that Fubara, despite his suspension, was still a product of that structure. “The fact is that the man fought for his structure and kept it. The governor is part of the structure,” Wogu added.

As the countdown to the end of emergency rule continues, Rivers State remains at a political crossroads. On one hand, the suspension has diminished Fubara’s authority, casting doubts on his ability to regain lost ground. On the other hand, Wike’s grip on the political machinery has only tightened, reinforcing his dominance as the key powerbroker.

While President Tinubu has been credited with maintaining relative stability during the emergency rule, critics insist that it came at the cost of weakening democratic institutions and undermining the mandate of the people.

Ultimately, Rivers State elders agree on one point: the people themselves will determine the state’s future. Whether they rally behind Fubara, align with Wike, or chart an entirely new course, the decisions made in the months ahead will shape the state’s political destiny long before the 2027 general elections.