Suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has returned to Nigeria after spending around two weeks abroad on vacation.
Fubara arrived at the international wing of the Port Harcourt International Airport in Omagwa at approximately 7 PM on Friday.
A video capturing his return showed the governor being received by a few aides at the airport before he entered a waiting SUV, which immediately drove off.
In March, President Bola Tinubu suspended Governor Fubara, along with his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, and members of the State House of Assembly, following his declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.
The President cited ongoing attacks on oil pipelines by militant groups and the rising political tension between the Governor and 27 members of the Assembly as reasons for the drastic action.
He also highlighted the involvement of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, in the unfolding crisis.
What you should know
Under the Nigerian constitution, a sitting governor cannot be suspended by the president.
The declaration of a state of emergency in a state requires the approval of the National Assembly and can only occur in cases of breakdown of law and order.
Any action such as suspending an elected governor falls outside the president’s unilateral authority unless due process is followed through constitutional channels.
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