Amid heightened political tension in Rivers State, suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara has declared that he is not eager to return to office, suggesting that his mind may already have moved on from the role.
Speaking during a solemn service of songs held in Port Harcourt in honour of the late elder statesman, Edwin Clark, Fubara openly questioned the push for his reinstatement.
“Do you even know if I want to go back there? My spirit has already left there,” Fubara stated, reacting to impassioned pleas from supporters and members of the Rivers Elders Forum who still referred to him as “Governor” and condemned his suspension in strong terms.
While acknowledging the support, Fubara was quick to distance himself from the remarks, branding them as personal views not necessarily aligned with his current stance.
He cautioned against escalatory rhetoric, noting that some well-meaning actions by supporters have, in fact, worsened the already delicate situation. “Not everything is by ‘oshogbe’,” he remarked, signaling a preference for diplomacy over confrontation.
Rather than dwell on political grievances, Fubara urged attendees to honour the legacy of Edwin Clark, whom he praised as a symbol of selflessness and an unwavering advocate for the Niger Delta.
Rivers State has remained a political flashpoint following the fallout between Fubara and his predecessor, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. Despite President Bola Tinubu’s intervention and the December 2023 peace accord, tensions flared again in March when the President declared a state of emergency in the state.
The sweeping move led to the suspension of Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all state lawmakers. A retired naval chief, Ibok-Ete Ibas, was subsequently appointed as the sole administrator, effectively placing the oil-rich state under federal control.
The President’s decision sparked legal battles and public outrage. Eleven Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors took the matter to the Supreme Court, challenging the constitutionality of the emergency declaration. However, the National Assembly urged the court to dismiss the suit, labeling it as lacking in merit and procedural integrity. It also requested a N1 billion penalty against the plaintiffs for what it termed a “frivolous and speculative” legal action.
As Rivers State continues to reel from the political crisis, Fubara’s latest remarks suggest a leader disillusioned by power struggles and more focused on reconciliation than reinstatement.
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