Loyalists of the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, have declared that the countdown to his expected return on September 18, 2025, has begun, with just a month to the end of the six-month emergency rule.
The governor’s media aide, Jerry Omatsogunwa, told Punch that residents were eagerly awaiting his return “to continue the good work he was doing.”
Omatsogunwa said, “Expectations for the governor’s return are very high. He had been doing wonderfully well as head of the Rivers State Government. Several projects were ongoing, including the multi-billion-naira Port Harcourt Ring Road, which cuts across about six local government areas.
“The expectation is that these projects will be revived immediately so they don’t suffer setbacks—projects like the Ring Road, the Omoku-Elele Road, the Trans Kalabari Road, and many more. I believe he will want to accelerate them to ensure people get the full benefit of their money.
“So, definitely, expectation is high. From Monday, August 18, the countdown for the return of the most loved governor in Rivers State will begin.”
President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State on March 18, 2025, suspending Governor Fubara, his deputy, and members of the House of Assembly.
Tinubu cited the prolonged political crisis between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, as the reason for the drastic action.
In his place, Tinubu appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as Sole Administrator, with a mandate to restore political stability.
Five months into the role, Ibas, through his Senior Special Adviser on Media, Hector Igbikiowubo, stated that he remained committed to vacating the office once his tenure ends, but emphasised the need to complete projects initiated under his watch.
He explained that the administrator had been touring project sites to ensure contractors mobilised to the site were working according to specifications.
On the new State House of Assembly complex, Igbikiowubo said construction had reached an advanced stage and expressed hope that work would continue without delay.
He added that funding for key projects and other state priorities was being addressed.
“When you have a construction project ongoing and the contractor has been mobilised, there is a limit to how much you can push. You can only hope that the project proceeds apace. You can’t expect that because of an emergency situation they will cut corners to finish when the reality dictates otherwise,” Igbikiowubo stated.
Ibas reaffirmed that he was not seeking to extend his stay beyond the emergency rule period.
“We are firmly committed to exiting office, which is why the National Assembly gave approval for RSIEC to proceed with the local government elections to restore democracy at that level.
“The budget has been approved, funding for outstanding projects is ongoing, and we remain committed to the mandate of the emergency proclamation. We are executing it to the best of our abilities,” he added.
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