Port Harcourt city, capital of Rivers State agog on Thursday as thousand of citizens and residents of the state stormed the Government House gate along Azikiwe Road, hoping to be addressed by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who alongside his deputy, Prof Ngozi Odu and State House of Assembly members were instated from their six months suspension in office by President Bola Tinubu.
The supporters who were in their different attires with various musical instruments celebrating Governor Fubara’s return to office, were disappointed at the time of their gathering that he had not allegedly assumed office yet. Some believe the governor has not yet arrived in the State as at the time.
Meanwhile, the governor supporters were not deterred with the development but continued in their musical instrument and jubilation until they were exhausted and left the environment.
THISDAY at the scene sighted some of the council chairmen who served under Fubara but were disbanded by Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas on assumption of office as sole administrator of the State for the past six months of the emergency rule.
While, the jubilation was ongoing in parts of the city, members of the State Assembly, resumed plenary in full attendance, except Hon Victor Oko Jumbo, Hon Sokari Goodboy and Hon Timothy O, all loyalists of Governor Fubara at the heat of the political crisis in the State.
During the plenary, the House resolved to write the governor requesting that he forward list of commissioner nominees for screening and confirmation
The resolution followed a motion brought before the House by the Leader, Major Jack and nine others to set legislative agenda for the House for the remaining third session of the 10th Assembly
Major Jack while making his submission also urged the house to write the governor to forward the appropriation law to the Assembly. He further moved that the House directs the probe of the six months expenditures of the state during the emergency rule.
Jack said one of the gains of the emergency rule was the successful conduct of local government elections on the August, 30, that produced the 23 Local Government Area chairmen and Councillors.
He said the House is aware that the Rivers State Executive Council needs to be fully constituted inline with the provisions of the Constitution and terms of the peace parley.
Jack said that there is need to synergize with the Governor towards setting out a financial plan or budget that will reflect the current yearnings or the good people of the state knowing fully well that the Governor and the House never sighted and made no input to the budget implemented during the Emergency rule.
He noted that several awards of contracts and funds were spent from the Consolidated Revenue Account of the State for contacts during the emergency rule by the outgone Administrator and that there is the need to come up with a true picture of what transpired.
Presenting the motion, Jack said: “Knowing that the Third Session of the 10th Assembly commenced in June 2025, but legislative business was adversely affected by the emergency rule and there is still no legislative agenda for making of laws and oversight functions to address the current realities for the remaining part of this session”.
He appreciated President Tinubu for restoring democratic institutions in the state, declaring that the House would continue to abide by all the terms of the peace parley and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the interest of peace and good governance of Rivers State.
Jack assured that the House would work with the governor to ascertain what transpired in the last six months with regards to award contracts and expenditures from the consolidated revenue fund of the State.
Receiving the motion for action, the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule agreed that the House would to write the governor to forward names of commissioner’s nominees and make plans submit an appropriation bill for approval.
The House later adjourned plenary to Monday, September 22, this year.
However, stakeholders under the aegis of Rivers Elders and Leaders Forum have thanked the President, for lifting the State of Emergency and restoring full democratic governance in the state.
The statesmen also welcomed the return of governor Fubara, Prof Odu, and the Assembly members, saying “we are presented with a unique opportunity to reset and rebuild. This is a moment for peace, sober reflection, forgiveness, rededication, and unity. A chance to heal wounds, restore trust, and refocus our energies towards the progress of our state and well-being of our people”.
In a statement signed by the Chairman of the Forum and a former deputy governor in the State, Dr Gabriel Toby, called on the “Governor, members of the State House of Assembly, other political actors, and stakeholders to put aside bitterness, rebuild confidence in each other, and embrace reconciliation”.
The elders stressed that the return of the Governor and a fully functional Assembly must not simply mark a political settlement but a fresh start rooted in accountability, transparency, and integrity.
“We must set aside factional differences and work together to tackle unemployment, insecurity, infrastructural decay, and environmental degradation. Whether in government or opposition, rural or urban, we must remember that Rivers State belongs to us all, and its future depends on our collective resolve to overcome the challenges confronting our people and the state”, Toby added.
Also, a political management consultant, Joe Korka-Waadah, urged the governor to work for the people of the state, urging that his policies should reflect an openness to embrace all.
Korka-Waadah, Executive Director, Compassionate Heart Foundation of Canada, observed that “The illegal and unconstitutional suspension of an elected governor of Rivers state, his deputy, and the House of assembly would go down in history of a day in infamy. The day democracy suffered a serious blow and was truncated by the one who swore on oath to protect it”.
Korka-Waadah who is also an ally to the former Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi, said “The governor is back. Let’s watch to see the steps he would take to rekindle the hopes and aspirations of the poor masses who believed in him and by their shoe of support this morning, it is clear that SIM Fubara is still in their good books”.
Blessing Ibunge
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