Wike Insists No Law Mandates Fubara’s Immediate Return After Emergency Rule

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed suggestions that Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, must immediately resume office following the end of the six-month emergency rule declared in the state.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Thursday, Wike stressed that there is no constitutional or legal provision that dictates the exact timing of a governor’s return to official duties.

“I am not his protocol officer. There is no law that says he must resume work today,” Wike said, in response to mounting questions about Fubara’s absence.

Background to the Crisis

In March, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu imposed emergency rule in Rivers State at the height of a bitter political standoff between Fubara and Wike, his predecessor and estranged political godfather. The move, unprecedented in Rivers’ democratic history, suspended Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and members of the State House of Assembly.

The President appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, a former Chief of Naval Staff, as sole administrator of the state. That decision sparked widespread criticism from political actors, civil society groups, and legal experts who described it as unconstitutional and politically motivated.

The End of Emergency Rule

On Wednesday night, President Tinubu announced that the emergency rule had reached its end, citing intelligence reports suggesting relative stability had returned to the state. He directed Fubara, his deputy, and the lawmakers to resume their duties immediately.

While the House of Assembly quickly reconvened in plenary, both Fubara and his deputy remained absent from the public eye—fueling speculation about the governor’s health, political calculations, or possible lingering disputes within the Rivers political establishment.

Wike’s Position

Defending the governor’s absence, Wike argued that governance transcends physical presence in the office, emphasizing that Fubara retains the discretion to decide the timing and manner of his return.

“Being sworn in today does not mean I will go to the office tomorrow. You don’t know what my programmes are. Governance does not mean one must be in the office to govern,” Wike explained.

Pressed further on the governor’s whereabouts, the minister declined responsibility: “I am not his Chief Security Officer. I am not his protocol officer.”

Signs of Peace or Political Posturing?

Despite the lingering uncertainty, Wike insisted that peace has largely returned to Rivers. According to him, both sides of the political divide have signaled commitment to stability.

“As I speak to you, as of yesterday, I spoke to the governor (Fubara). I told him I was leaving that night to come back, and he told me he was leaving this morning. So, I can tell you that, by the grace of God, peace has returned,” Wike disclosed.

Broader Implications

Observers note that while Tinubu’s lifting of emergency rule was a relief to many in Rivers, the absence of the governor at a critical moment has raised questions about the real state of affairs. Critics argue that the development underscores the deep-rooted tensions between Wike and Fubara, a rivalry that has reshaped Rivers politics since 2023.

Political analysts also suggest that Wike’s remarks reflect both his continued influence over Rivers’ affairs and the fragile balance of power in the state. While Wike portrays Fubara’s absence as inconsequential, others view it as a potential sign of unresolved discord that may again test the state’s stability.

For now, Rivers State remains in transition—caught between the official end of emergency rule and the uncertainty surrounding how quickly and effectively Governor Fubara will reassert his leadership.