…Fubara’s aircraft touched down at exactly 11:50 a.m., marking his first public return to the state since the reinstatement.
PORT HARCOURT, NIGERIA – The iNews Times | Governor Siminalayi Fubara made a triumphant return to Rivers State on Friday, arriving at the Port Harcourt International Airport in Omagwa just two days after President Bola Tinubu lifted the controversial state of emergency imposed on the state and directed the restoration of democratic structures.
Governor Fubara’s aircraft touched down at exactly 11:50 a.m., marking his first public return to the state since the reinstatement order was issued by the Presidency.
A sizable crowd of political allies and loyalists gathered at the airport to receive him, signaling renewed support amid the lingering political crisis that has rocked the state’s leadership for months.
Among the dignitaries present were former Commissioner for Information and Communications, Barr. Emma Okah; ex-Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh; and Nigeria’s former Ambassador to the Netherlands, Oji Ngofa. Also in attendance were former Commissioner for Environment, Sydney Gbara, and former factional Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Victor Oko-Jumbo.
Others who showed up in solidarity included Chisom Gbali, former Commissioner for Youths; Evans Bipi, former Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development; Igwe Achese, former President of NUPENG; and Dr. Tamunosisi Gogo-Jaja, ex-Commissioner for Education. Former local government chairmen Ezebunwo Ichemati (Port Harcourt City) and another from Obio/Akpor were also on the welcoming team.
Fubara’s return comes on the heels of months of political wrangling that saw a breakdown in executive-legislative relations and a fierce standoff between the governor and some members of the State Assembly, widely believed to be loyal to his estranged political godfather and Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike.
The lifting of the state of emergency by President Tinubu on Wednesday was seen as a bold move to restore constitutional order in Rivers. Speaking shortly after the directive, a Presidency source said, “The goal is to return Rivers State to full democratic operations. All parties must allow peace to reign.”
While Governor Fubara is yet to address the press formally, Friday’s reception sends a clear signal that the battle for control in Rivers politics is far from over, even as democratic structures are reinstated.
Whether this marks the beginning of a new era of reconciliation or the resumption of a prolonged political contest remains to be seen.
