Siminalayi Fubara, the suspended governor of Rivers State, and his supporters were noticeably absent on Saturday during the state’s election for chairmanship and councillorship.
Although the election was held on a small scale, Fubara was not visible in his hometown of Opobo Local Government Area.
Several prominent supporters of the suspended governor did not attend the election, including the fired 23 local government chairmen, Edison Ehie, the Chief of Staff at Government House, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, the Secretary to the Government, and others.
Additionally, there were no members of the Simplified Movement, a sociopolitical group that supports Fubara, in the vicinity of the polling places.
There were promises that the troubled governor, who had recently patched up his differences with his political godfather, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesome Wike, would take part in the election when electoral materials arrived at Fubara’s unit in Ward 5, Opobo in Opobo/Nkoro LGA, at approximately 11 a.m.
However, Fubara failed to fulfil his constitutional obligation until the local vote process ended at 3:30 p.m.
According to information received at the time of reporting this article, the suspended governor did not return to his hometown of Opobo for the election. He is scheduled to be recalled to office on September 18.
According to a source, Fubara left for London and did not return in time for the election.
After a lengthy political dispute between Fubara and Wike, who had the support of most state MPs, President Bola Tinubu imposed a state of emergency in Rivers State on March 18.
Following the declaration of the emergency rule, Tinubu imposed a six-month initial suspension on Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Additionally, he designated Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas (retd.) as the only administrator in charge of managing state affairs.
Civil society organisations, politicians, and attorneys all denounced Tinubu’s judgement, which caused indignation throughout the nation.
Later, Wike and Fubara made amends and came to an arrangement that included holding a new local government election that the latter’s supporters had previously won.
The PDP, the All Progressives Congress, the Labour Party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Zenith Party, Accord Party, African Action Congress, Action People’s Party, and the Social Democratic Party were among the political parties and candidates approved to run in the local government elections prior to the council election, according to the final list issued by RSIEC.
According to the list, the APC put forward 20 candidates for chairmanships throughout the 23 LGAs in the state, compared to just three for the PDP.
The Renewed Hope Agenda, Wike’s political organisation in the state, said it was certain of victory and was pleased with the process.
According to information obtained, the APC, led by Chief Tony Okocha, was awarded 20 seats, while the PDP was awarded three seats in order to create chairman.
According to a specific source, the PDP held three seats: Obio/Akpor, the FCT Minister’s LGA, Port Harcourt City, and the LGAs of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni.
Nyesom Wike, the FCT’s minister, stated his belief that Fubara would take power again on September 18, 2025, when the emergency rule ends.
Speaking shortly after he cast his ballot in Rumepirikom, Ward 9, Unit 007, Obio/Akpo LGA, at approximately 11 a.m. on Saturday, Wike stated that since both state and local governments now have representation, the circumstances were appropriate for removing the state of emergency.
“As far as we are concerned, this election is peaceful, people are turning out, and the election has been conducted successfully and peacefully at the end of the day,” he added.
I am aware that the state of emergency will end on September 18, the state assembly will resume its duties, and local government will be established.
The state government has its representatives, and the local government has its representatives, so we are all set to go and the state of emergency can be lifted.
Wike also praised the people’s behaviour and turnout in the council election, claiming it will bring democratic governance back to the people’s doorstep.
Despite describing the exercise as genuine, the minister questioned why the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System was not used for the poll.
In the meantime, the poll was tainted by vacant polling places, indifference on the part of voters, a shortage of original result sheets, and the absence of BVAS.
As of 10 a.m. on election day, it was noted that several polling places still lacked electoral materials.
It was learnt that the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission in Obio/Akpor, Port Harcourt City LGA, Emohua, and other locations encountered logistical difficulties that caused this delay.
Sources claim that because of problems with staffing and material processing, there were additional delays in the distribution of election materials at registration centres around the state.
While keeping an eye on the election, our correspondents observed that while voter turnout was low in urban areas, voting in some rural areas—particularly in the state’s Gokana LGA—was better.
Voters did not show up in Emuoha LGA’s Ibaa Community, while some individuals were observed thumbprinting numerous ballots for a specific political party.
Vice Admiral Ibas (retd.), the state administrator, praised the local government elections for being held peacefully.
Ibas, who personally observed the practice in portions of Port Harcourt, Ahoada East, and Emohua, called it an essential step in re-establishing grassroots democracy.
He was pleased with the number of voters and the conduct of the election authorities, stating that the peaceful environment demonstrated the public’s willingness to take back control of the grassroots process.
Ibas declared, “I am sure that we will have a credible set of results at the end of the day that we will all be proud of as a state.”
Ibas underlined that the elections’ successful conduct demonstrated the Rivers people’s will to choose grassroots leaders they can relate to.
Residents of Rivers were expected to expect Fubara to return following the council election, according to information obtained.
A government adviser told one of our correspondents that Fubara had no excuse for not going back.
“There is no reason to extend the emergency rule, based on what I understand and the outcome of the local government election,” he stated. “The emergency rule will expire on September 18.”
“Restoring democratic governance is in Wike’s interest, and it is happening. He always wants to do the right thing. No personal animosity or grudge exists.
One of the President’s spokespersons, when asked for confirmation, told the reporter to contact Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, since he was the best person to comment on the issue.
Kamarudeen Ogundele, the spokesperson for Fagbemi, asked for patience till the emergency rule ended.
According to the Constitution and the authority granted to him, the President proclaimed a state of emergency. Hold off till then. “Speculation is not necessary,” he said.
When approached, a few of Fubara’s fans chose not to comment on the issue.
It was mentioned that supporters of the governor have not discussed the prospect of Fubara’s return since the “peace deal” between him and Wike.
Others who answered their phones stated that they did not want to discuss the issue, while others declined to take calls and did not respond to messages.
“At this time, I am unable to comment,” stated Boniface Onyedi, Fubara’s Senior Special Assistant on Media. Let’s hold off until next week.
However, Monday Ubani, a former National Vice President of the Nigerian Bar Association, said that after the state’s LG elections, Fubara ought to be put back in office to finish his term.
The troubled Rivers governor was legitimately elected and ought to be permitted to complete his term, according to Ubani.
After this local government election, he stated, “I think Fubara should be put back in power because he was elected by the people and can now go and fulfil his mandate.”
“I think he and Wike have reached an agreement. For this reason, they have all reached a consensus regarding the course of events and the validity of holding elections for local government.
Allowing the governor to complete his term would be a win for the people who gave him their mandate, Ubani emphasised.
