Port Harcourt was the centre of national attention on Thursday as Governor Siminalayi Fubara officially resumed duties following a six-month suspension that disrupted governance in Rivers State under emergency rule. His reinstatement, authorised by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has reignited political activity and sparked widespread celebrations among residents.
From the early hours of the morning, crowds thronged the streets leading to the Government House, the State Secretariat, and major routes in Port Harcourt. Supporters sang, danced, and paraded with masquerades and musicians, while others converged at the Port Harcourt International Airport to welcome the governor’s return.
“This is a new dawn for Rivers State,” declared one supporter near the Brick House, where prominent political figures joined jubilant crowds.
Governor Fubara’s absence coincided with months of political unrest that prompted the Federal Government to declare emergency rule in Rivers. His last public appearance in the state was at the burial of a relative of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, shortly after peace talks mediated by President Tinubu in Abuja.
The governor’s reinstatement has also paved the way for the resumption of state institutions. The Rivers State Judiciary announced the end of its annual vacation on September 17, with Chief Registrar David Ihua-Maduenyi urging lawyers and litigants to return to full court activities. Vacation judges, he noted, had handled critical cases during the recess.
The State House of Assembly is also expected to reconvene in the coming days. A legislative source confirmed that plans are underway for lawmakers to deliberate on pending matters and restore oversight functions.
Political reactions have been divided. APC chieftain and analyst Eze Chukwuemeka Eze criticised the suspension saga, saying Nigerians “watched and did nothing, allowing the illegalities in Rivers State to happen successfully.”
Fubara’s reinstatement signals not only the end of emergency rule but also the reopening of political and administrative life in Rivers State, setting the stage for renewed governance after months of uncertainty.
