President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and suspended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara are set to return to Nigeria on Tuesday as the state prepares to resume democratic governance on Thursday.
Tinubu is returning from a shortened vacation in France, while Fubara is arriving from London, coinciding with the transition program overseen by Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.).
The president, who left Nigeria on September 4th, cut short his 10-day holiday to resume official duties in Abuja immediately upon arrival. During his trip, he met French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris to discuss strengthening bilateral ties and cooperation in key sectors.
In Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibas began the transition with a thanksgiving service in Port Harcourt on Sunday. As part of the program, a public lecture on ‘Democracy and Good Governance’ will take place at the Government House Banquet Hall on Tuesday, with Ibas as the Special Guest of Honour.
Fubara’s return, initially expected Monday, will precede his reinstatement on Thursday, September 18th. The convergence of both leaders’ return has heightened attention on the political handover after months of emergency rule, which began on March 18th, 2025, following security and governance concerns under Fubara’s administration.
Separately, the Rivers State High Court struck out a suit challenging the August 30 local government elections. Justice Stephen Jumbo ruled that only the Supreme Court has jurisdiction over such matters during emergency rule and confirmed the elections were constitutionally conducted by the state’s electoral commission.