Emergency Rule Winds Down as Rivers Awaits Fubara’s Return

Countdown has commenced for Governor Fubara’s return as Rivers emergency rule nears end.

NewsOnline Nigeria reports that the supporters of suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, have begun the countdown to his anticipated return on September 18, 2025, when the six-month emergency rule imposed on the state is expected to end.

Fubara’s media aide, Jerry Omatsogunwa, said residents are eagerly awaiting his comeback to resume projects halted during the emergency rule.

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“Expectations for the governor’s return are very high. He had been doing wonderfully well as head of the Rivers State Government. Several projects were ongoing, including the multi-billion-naira Port Harcourt Ring Road, which cuts across about six local government areas,” Omatsogunwa stated.

He added that critical infrastructure such as the Omoku-Elele Road, Trans-Kalabari Road, and other major projects would be revived immediately upon Fubara’s return.

The governor was suspended on March 18, 2025, after President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State following a prolonged political crisis between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.

Tinubu appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as Sole Administrator, with a mandate to restore political stability.

Five months into the role, Ibas, through his spokesperson Hector Igbikiowubo, reaffirmed that he would vacate office once the emergency period ends. He noted that work on key projects, including the new State House of Assembly complex, had reached advanced stages.

“We are firmly committed to exiting office, which is why the National Assembly gave approval for RSIEC to proceed with the local government elections to restore democracy at that level,” Ibas said.

The administrator stressed that funding for ongoing projects was being addressed, while assuring that his administration would not extend its stay beyond September 18.