Wike Speaks on Fubara's Whereabouts as Rivers Return to Democratic Rule
- FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has disclosed the whereabouts of the reinstated Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers
- Wike explained that Fubara was not in the country when President Bola Tinubu lifted the suspension on him
- President Tinubu had earlier announced the suspension of the state of emergency declared in Rivers state in March 2025
Nyesom Wike, the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has said that the reinstated Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers is ready to resume office following the return of democratic rule in the state.
In March 2025, President Bola Tinubu announced the suspension of Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the state house of assembly, following an unresolved political crisis between the governor and his predecessor, Wike.
Source: Twitter
Fubara's location after Tinubu lifted his suspension
According to the minister, the reinstated governor was not in the country when President Tinubu lifted the emergency rule on the state.
Speaking in an interview on Channels Television on Thursday, September 18, the former governor of Rivers disclosed that he has spoken to his successor and that the governor is ready to return to the country and assume office.
Wike also posited that no law compelled Governor Siminalayi Fubara to resume immediately after the six-month suspension was lifted by President Tinubu on Wednesday, September 17.
Rivers lawmakers resume plenary
The state House of Assembly members, who were suspended along with Fubara and his deputy, resumed plenary on Thursday, September 18, but neither the governor nor his deputy was seen in public.
Addressing this, Wike dismissed the concerns about the whereabouts of his successor. He stressed that governance is not about being physically present at the office, and that Fubara has the right to determine how and when he will resume his official duties.
While announcing the suspension of the state of emergency in the state, Tinubu extended appreciation to the National Assembly for approving the declaration and shared the same concerns with him.
He also appreciated the traditional rulers and the people of Rivers for promoting peace and stability during the period.
Source: Twitter
Tinubu speaks on legal actions against him
President Tinubu also disclosed that over 40 legal actions have been instituted against the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers. He maintained that such were parts of democracy.
According to President Tinubu, the suits were instituted in different courts in Abuja, Rivers and Bayelsa states. However, he insisted that the power to declare a state of emergency is contained in Nigeria's constitution.
President Tinubu, in his address, warned against "misguided political activism and Machiavellian manipulations" in political space, adding that the dividends of democracy can only be realised where there is peace.
Wike defends Fubara's absence
Legit.ng earlier reported that Nyesom Wike explained that no law compelled Governor Siminalayi Fubara to resume immediately.
Wike stated this while reacting to the controversies surrounding why the governor did not resume after President Bola Tinubu lifted the suspension on him.
President Tinubu on Wednesday suspended the state of emergency earlier declared in Rivers and ordered the governor to return to power.
Proofreading by James Ojo, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
