Fubara’s support base faces strong decline ahead of anticipated 11-day return

Strong signs suggest that Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s base of support has diminished as he prepares to return to Government House in Port Harcourt on September 18. Some allies have predicted that he will return as a lame duck.

Since the declaration of an emergency rule on the state and suspension of the governor and his entire cabinet by President Bola Tinubu in March 2025, following political tensions and the alleged attack on oil facilities by suspected militants, not much has been heard from the embattled governor.

Support organisations for the two political heavyweights had disintegrated following his reunification with Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and his political godfather.

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Specifically, two groups—the FCT minister’s “Wikematics” and the Fubara-loyal “Simplified Family”—have been disbanded.

Meanwhile, Hector Igbikiowubo, his media assistant, denied rumours that Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd), the State Administrator, was advocating for a continuation of the emergency rule.

In an interview with Sunday PUNCH, Igbikiowubo stated that his principle is still determined to leave office at the conclusion of his term, but he stressed the importance of finishing the initiatives that were started under his direction.

Fubara loses hold on power

With the results of the just concluded LGA elections, the governor has lost grip of the grass roots.

With Wike keeping his Obio/Akpor LGA, the APC won 20 of the state’s 23 LGAs, including Fubara Opobo-Nkoro LGA. The PDP only won three.

Nonetheless, it is alleged that all of the APC and PDP winners are Wike supporters.

Martin Amaewhule, a loyalist and relative of the FCT minister, is the Speaker of the state House of Assembly.

However, it is said that all those who emerged winners in both the APC and PDP are loyalists of Wike.

According to reports gathered by our correspondents, Fubara, who boycotted the LG elections, was yet to return from his trip abroad.

On the preparations for the governor’s return to office, his media aide, Jerry Omatsogunwa, said residents were excited.

Omatsogunwa stated, “It is about Rivers people. Rivers people are excited. You know a man that has shown them that he loves the entire state and such things happen, it is natural that now that the date is very close, Rivers’ people are happy that he will soon come and complete his good works.

“It has nothing to do with me, but Rivers people in general are expectant and ready to welcome their most loved governor because they are the ultimate beneficiaries of the projects. So they are waiting for him to come back and continue from where he stopped.”

Governor returning as a puppet

High Chief Sunnie Chukumele, an elder statesman and the Convener of the Coalition of Rivers State Leaders of Thought, stated that after his return, Fubara would no longer have the authority of a governor.

While arguing that Wike’s hold on the state was only temporary, Chukumele also called the recently ended council election a sham.

He said, “He is coming back as a puppet and Rivers State people are not prepared for a puppet. Rivers people are not happy.

“How many people came out to vote in the council election? It was nothing short of a boycott. We are disappointed. If they lift the so-called emergency rule and he comes back now, Martin Amaewhule and Nyesom Wike will still dictate the tune. But in 2027, Rivers people will elect their own governor.”

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Similarly, a prominent politician in the state, who spoke on the condition of anonymity said it would be better for Fubara to resign than return to face humiliation.

He said, “What the governor can do now is, when he is recalled, he should resume. But the following day, to save his face, he should address Rivers people and then resign from office.”

Additionally, a member of the academia and supporter of the suspended governor, Prof. Ken Nweke, also spoke of the mixed feelings surrounding Fubara’s return.

Another source said, “Coming back to preside over a state where he cannot even identify who is in charge of the local governments, yet he is expected to take security decisions and give direction for the grassroots system, creates a disconnect. In a way, what this portends is that you have a governor coming into the government house when the food has already been cooked at the grassroots.”