Fifty-five days after President Bola Tinubu suspended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, he has declared his disinterest in returning to the helm of state affairs.
Fubara, who was suspended alongside his cabinet and lawmakers in the state said he has emotionally checked out of the role.
He made this revelation yesterday during a service of songs in honour of the late Niger Delta elder statesman and PANDEF leader, Edwin Clark, held in Port Harcourt.
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“Have you asked yourself, do you think I’m interested in going back there?” Fubara said during his remarks.
“If I had my way, I would say this is it. This is the will of God. I don’t wish to go back there. My spirit has left that place.”
Fubara’s comment came as members of the Rivers Elders Forum paid tribute, referring to him as the sitting governor and voicing opposition to his removal from office.
However, Fubara was quick to dismiss their words as personal opinions, urging those present to avoid injecting politics into a moment of mourning.
“Those are personal views,” he said, noting that such remarks were unlikely to promote reconciliation or stability in the state.
He also criticised some supporters, suggesting their actions had worsened the political crisis rather than alleviated it.
The deepening unrest in the state traces back to a prolonged feud between Fubara and his predecessor, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Despite Tinubu’s intervention and a peace agreement announced in December 2024, hostilities continued.
Tensions escalated further when the presidency declared a state of emergency in Rivers on March 18, suspending Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and members of the state legislature.
Retired naval officer Ibok-Ete Ibas was appointed to oversee the state’s administration in an interim capacity.
The federal action triggered widespread backlash.
Eleven opposition PDP governors took the matter to the Supreme Court, alleging constitutional violations.
READ ALSO: Fubara seeks reconciliation with Wike in Abuja amid Rivers state emergency
However, their suit was dismissed by the National Assembly as lacking merit, with lawmakers urging the court to levy a N1 billion penalty against the plaintiffs.
In April, Fubara reportedly held a private meeting with President Tinubu in London, raising hopes of a possible resolution.
But with his latest public statement, Fubara has thrown fresh doubt over his political future and the path forward for the state.
