Suspended Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has reportedly vacated the Government House in Port Harcourt following the declaration of a state of emergency by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The governor’s exit marks a significant shift in the ongoing political crisis that has engulfed Rivers State in recent months.
According to sources, Fubara left the Government House on Wednesday morning, paving the way for the newly appointed Sole Administrator, retired Admiral Ekwe Ibas, to take over the administration of the state. The development follows President Tinubu’s announcement on Tuesday, in which he suspended all major political actors involved in the Rivers State crisis for a period of six months.
A top security official disclosed that there was a complete change of guards within the Government House premises as Fubara's security details were replaced with new personnel assigned to the incoming Sole Administrator. The officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, stated:
“The governor left this morning, and we are now awaiting the new administrator’s arrival. Security arrangements have been reshuffled, but everything remains peaceful. There has been no reported incident of violence or resistance so far.”
Despite the ongoing political turmoil, residents of Port Harcourt appear to be going about their daily activities without disruption. Streets remain calm, and businesses continue operations as usual, with no visible signs of unrest or large-scale protests against the government’s decision.
The decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State was reportedly triggered by escalating political tensions and security concerns, particularly related to pipeline vandalism and the inability of political stakeholders to resolve the crisis amicably despite several interventions by the presidency.
Reports also emerged that Governor Fubara and his family were allegedly held hostage at the Government House on Tuesday night by heavily armed soldiers. The incident raised concerns among his supporters and further fueled speculations about the legality of his removal from office without formal impeachment proceedings.
The political conflict in Rivers State has been heating up over the past few months, with tensions escalating between Governor Fubara and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, who are reportedly loyal to former Governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. The feud has led to multiple confrontations, including attempts to impeach Fubara, mass defection of lawmakers, and power struggles between opposing political factions in the state.
President Tinubu’s decision to suspend all parties involved in the crisis, including Governor Fubara, state lawmakers, and key political figures, has sparked intense debate on social media and among legal experts. Many Nigerians are questioning whether the president has the constitutional authority to unilaterally suspend an elected governor who has not been formally impeached by the state legislature.
Legal analysts argue that while the president has the power to declare a state of emergency under certain conditions, removing a sitting governor without following due process could set a controversial precedent in Nigeria’s democratic system. Others believe that the drastic action was necessary to prevent further escalation of the crisis and to restore stability in Rivers State.
Meanwhile, political observers are closely monitoring the situation to see how events will unfold in the coming days. With the appointment of a Sole Administrator, questions remain about the extent of his powers, the legality of the decision, and how the people of Rivers State will react to this unprecedented move by the federal government.
As reactions continue to pour in from different quarters, supporters of Governor Fubara have vowed to challenge the decision through legal and political means, while his opponents argue that his suspension is justified given the prolonged instability in the state.
The coming weeks are expected to be critical in determining the future of governance in Rivers State, as both local and national political actors continue to engage in behind-the-scenes negotiations and strategic moves to consolidate power. Whether Fubara will fight back or accept the decision remains to be seen.