Embattled Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has officially resumed office following his reinstatement by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and is scheduled to address the state in a broadcast at 6:00 p.m. today.
Fubara’s aircraft landed at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, at exactly 11:50 a.m. on Friday, ending weeks of speculation about when he would return to duty after six months of emergency rule.
The emergency rule, declared in March amid political tensions between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, had suspended elected officials and halted governance in the state.
President Tinubu lifted the rule earlier this week, restoring democratic leadership in Rivers.
Warm Reception at the Airport
The governor was received by top politicians, party loyalists, and hundreds of supporters who thronged the airport to welcome him.
Among those present were former Commissioner for Information, Barr. Emma Okah; former Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh; former Nigerian Ambassador to the Netherlands, Oji Ngofa; and the former factional Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Victor Oko-Jumbo.
Also on ground were Sydney Gbara, Evans Bipi, Chisom Gbali, Dr. Tamunosisi Gogo-Jaja, Igwe Achese, and former council chairmen Ezebunwo Ichemati and Evans Bipi, among others.
Reacting to the turnout, Fubara said:
“I am humbled by what I saw at the airport. I was also briefed about what happened here yesterday. That reception really humbled me. It shows love, confidence, and solidarity. It is not just a celebration.”
Broadcast Set for 6:00 p.m.
The governor stated that the warm reception was a reaffirmation of the bond between his government and Rivers people.
“The massive reception by the number of people who came out to celebrate is a reaffirmation of the bond between this government and the people that we are serving. I want to assure you that we will continue to do those things that have made you people love us. I want to appreciate everyone and to say that we love you,” he added.
Fubara further disclosed that his 6:00 p.m. state broadcast would be used to formally recognize all stakeholders who contributed to restoring peace and normalcy in the state.
“We are going to address the state officially by 6:00 p.m., and in that broadcast, every authority that gave support to this normalcy will be properly recognized,” he stated.