President Bola Tinubu and suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, are both expected back in the country today (Tuesday) as Rivers prepares for the restoration of democratic governance on Thursday.
Tinubu, who departed Nigeria on September 4 for his annual holiday in France and the United Kingdom, was initially scheduled to be away for 10 working days.
However, his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, announced on Monday that the President had concluded his vacation early and would resume duties in Abuja immediately upon arrival.
During his stay in Paris, Naija News reported that Tinubu held a private luncheon with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace, where both leaders reviewed bilateral ties and pledged to deepen cooperation in key sectors.
Suspended Governor Fubara is also due back from London on Tuesday.
His aide confirmed to Punch that although his return was initially expected on Monday, “the governor will be back on Tuesday” ahead of his reinstatement on September 18.
His comeback coincides with the winding down of the six-month emergency rule imposed on the state in March.
The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), has intensified preparations for the transition. On Sunday, he kick-started the handover activities with a thanksgiving service in Port Harcourt.
As part of the transition programme, the government will today host a public lecture themed “Democracy and Good Governance” at the Banquet Hall, Government House. Ibas will attend as Special Guest of Honour, with dignitaries expected to be seated by 9:30 a.m.
On March 18, 2025, Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers following prolonged political instability, constitutional breaches, and rising security threats. The decision followed an emergency meeting with security and intelligence chiefs at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The President appointed Vice Admiral Ibas, a former Chief of Naval Staff (2015–2021), as sole administrator to steer the state through the turbulent period. His tenure is now set to end with the reinstatement of Governor Fubara on Thursday.
The post Tinubu, Fubara Return Today Ahead Of Rivers Democratic Transition appeared first on Naija News.
