Rivers Crisis: Fresh Twist as Fubara, Loyalists Shun LG Election After Reconciling With Wike
- The local government election held across the 23 council areas in Rivers state has generated a fresh twist in the political crisis in the state
- The suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and his supporters did not participate in the election
- The action of Fubara and his loyalists is coming after the suspended governor mended fences with his political godfather, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesome Wike
Legit.ng journalist Adekunle Dada has over 8 years of experience covering metro, government policy, and international issues
Port Harcourt, Rivers State - The suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and his supporters boycotted the local government election on Saturday, August 30, 2025.
The council election for the chairmanship and councillorship positions was held across the 23 LGAs of the state.
Source: Instagram
It was gathered that electoral materials arrived at Fubara’s unit in Ward 5, Opobo, in Opobo/Nkoro LGA around 11am, but the embattled governor and his supporters were conspicuously absent
As reported by The Punch, Fubara did not show up to exercise his constitutional duty until voting was concluded in the area around 3:30 pm.
This development is coming after Fubara mended fences with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesome Wike, his political godfather.
Members of the Simplified Movement, a socio-political organisation loyal to Fubara, were also not seen anywhere near the voting centres.
Some notable Fubara’s supporters, such as the Chief of Staff to the Government House, Edison Ehie, the Secretary to the Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo, the sacked 23 local government chairmen, and others, did not turn up for the election.
The suspended governor reportedly did not return to his Opobo hometown for the election.
A source said Fubara had travelled to London and did not return before the scheduled election.
Fubara is expected to be recalled to office on September 18, after the expiration of the 6-month state of emergency declaration in the state.
Wike Reveals date Fubara will return
Legit.ng earlier reported that the suspended governor, Fubara, will be reinstated on September 18, 2025, and the state of emergency will be called off.
Wike revealed this on Saturday, August 30, after casting his vote at his ward in Rivers state in the LGA polls.
Legit.ng reported that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers state and suspended Fubara and the members of the state assembly following the political crisis rocking the state.
Wike hides details of peace deal with Fubara
In a similar story, Legit.ng reported that Wike downplayed the growing speculations of the truce with Governor Fubara brokered by President Tinubu.
During a media parley, Wike explained why he would not reveal the crucial details of the peace deal with Fubara.
The FCT minister also declined to comment on when President Tinubu will reinstate the suspended Rivers governor, Fubara, and end the emergency rule in the oil-rich state.
Source: Legit.ng
