With one month left before the end of the six-month emergency rule in Rivers State, anticipation is building over the expected return of suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara on September 18, 2025.
His media aide, Jerry Omatsogunwa, said residents were eager to see him resume duties. “Expectations for the governor’s return are very high. He had been doing wonderfully well as head of the Rivers State Government,” Omatsogunwa told reporters.
He noted that Fubara had been pushing major infrastructure projects before his suspension, including the multi-billion-naira Port Harcourt Ring Road, which cuts across about six local government areas.
“Projects like the Ring Road, the Omoku-Elele Road, the Trans-Kalabari Road, and many more will be revived immediately,” he said. “I believe he will want to accelerate them to ensure people get the full benefit of their money.”
“So, definitely, expectation is high. From Monday, August 18, the countdown for the return of the most loved governor in Rivers State will begin,” Omatsogunwa added.
Tinubu’s Intervention and Sole Administrator’s Mandate
President Bola Tinubu had declared a state of emergency in Rivers on March 18, 2025, suspending the governor, his deputy, and the House of Assembly. He cited the prolonged political crisis between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, as the reason.
Tinubu appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as Sole Administrator to restore order and maintain governance.
Five months into his mandate, Ibas—through his Senior Special Adviser on Media, Hector Igbikiowubo—reaffirmed his readiness to leave office once the emergency rule ends. He stressed the importance of keeping projects on track.
“When you have a construction project ongoing and the contractor has been mobilised, there is a limit to how much you can push,” he said. “You can only hope that the project proceeds apace. You can’t expect shortcuts because of an emergency situation.”
Igbikiowubo added that Ibas had been inspecting project sites across the state, including the new State House of Assembly complex, which had reached an advanced stage.
Countdown to September 18
Ibas also noted that funding for key projects was ongoing. “The budget has been approved, funding for outstanding projects is ongoing, and we remain committed to the mandate of the emergency proclamation,” he said.
“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.”
With the countdown now set, Rivers residents wait to see if September 18 will mark not just the return of Governor Fubara, but also the rekindling of stalled projects and the promise of renewed political stability.
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