Countdown Begins As Rivers Residents Await Governor Fubara’s Return

With just one month remaining before the end of the six–month emergency rule in Rivers State, residents and political observers have started counting down to the anticipated return of suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara on September 18, 2025.

According to Jerry Omatsogunwa, media aide to the governor, people across the state are “eager to have Fubara back to continue the good work he was doing.”

“Expectations for the governor’s return are very high. He had been doing wonderfully well as head of the Rivers State Government,” Omatsogunwa told The Punch.
“Projects like the multi-billion-naira Port Harcourt Ring Road, Omoku-Elele Road, the Trans Kalabari Road and several others are expected to receive immediate attention once he resumes.”

The six-month state of emergency in Rivers was declared by President Bola Tinubu on March 18, 2025, following a prolonged political crisis between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike. The move temporarily suspended the governor, his deputy, and members of the State House of Assembly.

In the interim, retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas was appointed as Sole Administrator with a mandate to restore political stability and keep ongoing projects on track.

Speaking through his Senior Special Adviser on Media, Hector Igbikiowubo, Ibas said he remains fully committed to handing over power at the conclusion of his emergency tenure.

He explained that his administration has prioritised continuation of key infrastructure projects, including the new State House of Assembly complex.

“When a contractor has been mobilised, you can only hope that the work progresses as designed. This emergency rule does not mean anyone will cut corners to finish projects faster than reality allows,” he added.

He also confirmed that funding for critical projects is ongoing and that the National Assembly has granted approval for the RSIEC to proceed with local government elections, as part of the process of restoring democracy in the state.

As the countdown begins, many residents are hopeful that Governor Fubara will return to complete the projects launched before the emergency rule. For daily updates and Nigeria News Today, keep following The Bureau News.