Excitement turned to disappointment in Port Harcourt on Thursday as a large crowd of Rivers State residents, who had gathered to welcome Governor Siminalayi Fubara back to office, dispersed after hours of waiting without seeing the state leader.
Thousands of supporters had assembled around the Government House from the early hours of the day, expecting the governor—along with his deputy, Ngozi Odu—to make a public appearance following the end of six months of emergency rule in the state.
But by 5:00 p.m., there was still no sign of Fubara, and the once-celebratory atmosphere had fizzled into calm, with no official explanation offered for his absence.
President Bola Tinubu had on Wednesday announced the suspension of the emergency rule imposed in March, citing “a new spirit of understanding, robust readiness, and potent enthusiasm on the part of all stakeholders in Rivers State for an immediate return to democratic governance.”
The outgoing administrator, retired Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, who formally handed over power on Wednesday night, urged political leaders in the state to embrace dialogue and mutual respect as democratic rule resumes.
Fubara and his deputy are expected to formally assume leadership, but uncertainty around their first appearance has left residents eager for clarity on the next steps.
About the Author
