Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has declared that he has no strong desire to return to office amid the ongoing political crisis in the state.
Speaking during a service of songs in honour of the late elder statesman Edwin Clark, held in Port Harcourt on Sunday and organised by the Rivers Elders Forum, Fubara suggested he may have emotionally distanced himself from governance.
“Do you even know if I want to go back there? My spirit has already left there,” he said.
He made the remarks in response to multiple speakers who continued to address him as “Governor” and condemned his recent suspension, calling for an immediate reversal of the decision. Fubara distanced himself from those comments, calling them personal opinions and cautioning that such sentiments might not foster peace.
“Not everything is by ‘oshogbe,’” he remarked, implying a preference for calm over conflict in addressing the political turmoil.
He also warned that some actions taken by his supporters, though well-meaning, had aggravated the crisis. Urging focus on the purpose of the gathering, he emphasized that the event should centre on celebrating Edwin Clark’s life of selfless service to the Niger Delta and not be turned into a political platform.
The state has been gripped by a prolonged political standoff between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. In December 2023, President Bola Tinubu intervened to ease tensions but escalated the matter further on March 18 when he declared a state of emergency in Rivers.
The declaration came with the suspension of Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all state lawmakers. Retired naval chief Ibok-Ete Ibas was appointed as sole administrator, placing Rivers under federal control.
The move sparked outrage, prompting 11 governors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to file a suit at the Supreme Court, challenging the President’s decision. However, the National Assembly urged the court to dismiss the case, calling it baseless and procedurally flawed. They also requested a N1 billion penalty against the governors for what they described as a frivolous legal action.
What you should know
Governor Siminalayi Fubara has expressed detachment from his role amid Rivers State’s political crisis, indicating he may not seek reinstatement. The state remains under federal control following a state of emergency declared by President Tinubu, a decision now being challenged at the Supreme Court.
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