Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has received Vice President Kashim Shettima in Port Harcourt as the Federal Government continues to engage the state on major projects and political developments.
Shettima arrived at the Port Harcourt International Airport on Thursday and was received by Governor Fubara and other senior government officials.
The Vice President is in Rivers State for the official inauguration of a project in the state.
The Vice President is expected to attend the scheduled inauguration and meet other government officials and stakeholders during his stay in the state.
Rivers remains one of Nigeria’s most politically important states.
Politics Nigeria recalls that the State witnessed a major political crisis in 2023 and 2024 following the dispute between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who is now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
The dispute affected the state House of Assembly and created tensions within the state government.
President Tinubu intervened several times in an attempt to resolve the crisis.
The situation later escalated to the point where the President declared a state of emergency in Rivers State on March 18, 2025.
Fubara, his deputy and members of the state House of Assembly were suspended as part of the emergency arrangement.
Consequently, the development was met with strong reactions.
The Federal Government defended the decision as necessary to restore order in the state.
The situation has since changed considerably, with Fubara returning to political activity and subsequently moving closer to the APC.
In a related development, this visit comes just weeks after Shettima and Fubara appeared together in Port Harcourt for the 163rd Nigerian Army Day Celebration.
The event was held on July 6, 2026, at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium in the Rivers State capital.
Shettima represented President Bola Tinubu at the grand finale of the celebration, which was hosted by Rivers State.
The event brought together senior government officials, military commanders, former leaders and representatives from several African countries.
Fubara received Shettima in Port Harcourt ahead of the ceremony.
President Tinubu, in a message delivered by Shettima, reaffirmed the administration’s plan to strengthen the Armed Forces through modern technology, improved training and better operational capacity.
Tinubu said his administration was committed to using emerging technologies to confront contemporary security threats.
He stated, “My administration is firmly committed to countering contemporary threats through the adoption of emerging technologies and the building of capacity across all battle spaces, thereby improving operational planning and combat readiness.”
The President also spoke about the sacrifices made by Nigerian soldiers and the need for the country to continue supporting their families.
“Their sacrifices will not be in vain, and their families will not be forgotten,” Tinubu said.
Fubara, in his own remarks, used the occasion to address concerns about the security situation in Rivers State.
He said the decision by the Nigerian Army to host its major national celebration in Port Harcourt was evidence that the state had regained stability.
“The choice of Port Harcourt as host of the Nigerian Army Day Celebration means a lot to me and the good people of Rivers State. It signifies peace. It signifies normalcy in our state,” Fubara said.
He also criticised what he described as negative reports about the state, saying some of the reports were designed to damage the image of Rivers and his administration.
The governor further promised continued cooperation with the military and other security agencies operating in Rivers.
Fubara had made a similar commitment a few days earlier when the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, visited him at the Government House in Port Harcourt on July 3, 2026.
During that meeting, Fubara praised the Nigerian Army for its operations against pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft.
He said the military’s activities had contributed to improved oil production and revenue.
“I can say oil production has tremendously increased in Nigeria and our oil revenue is making progress because of the support of the Nigerian Army,” the governor said.
Fubara also pledged that the Rivers State Government would continue supporting security agencies.
“We owe you our support and collaboration to ensure that your officers operating here succeed,” he said.
The Army Day celebration later provided another public meeting point for Shettima and Fubara.