Samuel Omang
President Bola Tinubu and suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, are set to return to Nigeria on Tuesday, September 16, as the state prepares for the restoration of democratic governance on Thursday.
Tinubu cut short his annual vacation in France to resume official duties in Abuja, while Fubara returns from London ahead of his reinstatement scheduled for September 18. Their arrivals coincide with transition activities led by Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), who has managed the state since emergency rule was imposed on March 18, 2025.
During his visit to Paris, President Tinubu held a private luncheon with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace, reviewing bilateral ties and agreeing to deepen cooperation across key sectors.
In Rivers State, Ibas began the handover process with a thanksgiving service in Port Harcourt. A public lecture themed “Democracy and Good Governance” is scheduled for Tuesday at the Banquet Hall, Government House, with Ibas as the Special Guest of Honour.
The emergency rule was imposed following prolonged political instability, constitutional breaches, and security threats, including escalating tensions between Fubara and former Governor Nyesom Wike, pipeline explosions, and legislative dysfunction. The Supreme Court previously ruled that lawmakers remained valid members of the Assembly, criticizing Fubara’s actions as unconstitutional.
Meanwhile, a High Court in Port Harcourt dismissed a suit challenging the August 30 local government elections, affirming the RSIEC-conducted process as constitutional. The court ruled the claimant lacked standing to bring the case.
As Rivers State approaches the end of emergency rule, the political transition marks a critical moment for restoring governance and stability, with citizens and stakeholders closely monitoring the handover process.