The political landscape in Rivers State is tense as the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu have failed to show up at the Government House more than 24 hours after President Bola Tinubu suspended the state of emergency he imposed on the state in March.
Reports coming from the state says the Rivers State Government House has been left empty and Governor Siminalayi Fubara is yet to be seen publicly nearly 24 hours after the expiration of emergency rule imposed on the state.
The governor has not made any comment or speech regarding his resumption and the situation is already causing tension in the state political setting.
It would be recalled that President Bola Tinubu had declared State of Emergency in Rivers following the political rift between Fubara and his estranged godfather, Nyesom Wike, who is the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Tinubu suspended Fubara, Ngozi Odu, the Deputy Governor and members of the Rivers House of Assembly for six months.
He had appointed former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Ibot Ekwe Ibas as Sole Administrator of the State, a move which was heavily criticised.
He had ordered Fubara, his deputy and the lawmakers to resume duties.
While members of the House of Assembly convened plenary, neither Fubara nor his deputy was seen in public.
The Nigerian Economy gathered that a crowd which trooped to Government House, Port Harcourt, had dispersed hours after waiting for the governor’s return.
The crowd was made up of members of the Simplified Movement, the governor’s political support group.
Reportedly mobilised from across the 23 local government areas of the, they had planned to put up a show of solidarity for the governor.
Among those present were recently sacked local government chairmen, and former factional Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Victor Oko-Jumbo.
The supporters began arriving at the Government House as early as 6 a.m., equipped with traditional musical instruments, flutes, drums, and dance troupes.
The crowd took over Nnamdi Azikiwe Road, causing major gridlock, but by mid-day, they started dispersing.
The Nigerian Economy was not able to ascertain why the governor had not returned to his position.
