Bola Tinubu and suspended Siminalayi Fubara are both expected back in Nigeria on Tuesday as political activities in Rivers State intensify ahead of Thursday’s historic transition from emergency rule back to democratic governance.
President Tinubu is cutting short his vacation in France and United Kingdom, while Fubara is scheduled to arrive from London, just as the state’s Sole Administrator, Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.), ramps up handover preparations after six turbulent months in office.
Tinubu, who left Nigeria on September 4 for his annual holiday, was initially slated to spend 10 working days abroad but is returning three days earlier than planned. According to his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President will resume official duties in Abuja immediately upon arrival.
While in Paris, Tinubu met with Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace, where both leaders discussed deepening bilateral ties and strengthening cooperation in trade, energy, and security.
Meanwhile, Fubara’s highly anticipated return is expected to set the stage for his reinstatement on Thursday, September 18. An aide confirmed to The Punch that though the governor was initially due Monday, “he will be back on Tuesday.”
In Port Harcourt, preparations for the transition are in full swing. Ibas, who assumed office on March 18 after Tinubu declared a state of emergency over political unrest and militant attacks, launched the handover programme on Sunday with a thanksgiving service.
As part of the scheduled transition events, the state government has announced a public lecture themed “Democracy and Good Governance” to be held on Tuesday, September 16, at the Banquet Hall of Rivers State Government House. According to the Secretary to the State Government, Ibibia Worika, invited guests are expected to be seated by 9:30 a.m., with Ibas serving as Special Guest of Honour.
The political crisis that triggered the emergency rule stemmed from a bitter power struggle between Fubara and former governor Nyesom Wike. Tensions escalated after Fubara ordered the demolition of the Rivers State House of Assembly complex in December 2023, followed by mass defections of 27 lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress, and subsequent legal disputes.
On February 28, 2025, the Supreme Court of Nigeria ruled that the defected lawmakers remained valid members of the Assembly and faulted Fubara’s actions as unconstitutional and despotic. The court said governance had collapsed into “one-man rule” amid the absence of a functional legislature.
The crisis worsened with militant-linked attacks on oil pipelines, threatening Nigeria’s crude output and prompting Tinubu to impose emergency rule on March 18. He appointed Ibas — a former Nigerian Navy Chief of Naval Staff (2015–2021) under Muhammadu Buhari — to stabilize the state and restore order.
Meanwhile, legal attempts to challenge Ibas’ administration have faltered. On Monday, the Rivers State High Court struck out a suit by Port Harcourt lawyer William Abayomi, which sought to nullify the August 30 local government elections conducted by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).
Justice Stephen Jumbo ruled that the court lacked jurisdiction, noting that only the Supreme Court could entertain such suits during emergency rule. He also held that the claimant lacked locus standi, as he failed to show a personal stake or civil rights infringement.
Counsel to the claimant, Godsent Elewa, said he would consult his client on a possible appeal, while PDP counsel Monday John-Otokkwala hailed the judgment as a vindication of the elections’ legality.
As Tinubu and Fubara head home, anticipation is mounting across Rivers State, with political stakeholders and citizens alike awaiting the formal end of emergency rule and the restoration of democratic governance later this week.
