The suspended Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has made a fresh overture to his estranged political godfather, Nyesom Wike, as part of ongoing efforts to mend their fractured relationship.
Fubara reportedly visited the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory at his Abuja residence on Monday for peace talks.
While details of their discussion remain undisclosed, the meeting came amid renewed calls from various quarters for the reinstatement of the suspended governor.
Some of Fubara’s supporters had hoped that President Bola Tinubu would lift the suspension and end the emergency rule in Rivers State during his Democracy Day address at the National Assembly on Thursday.
One of them, Senator Seriake Dickson, expressed disappointment that President Tinubu did not declare an end to the emergency rule. He likened the current administration in Rivers to a military regime because it is headed by a retired military officer.
However, Dickson’s statement drew sharp criticism from the Rivers State caucus in the National Assembly.
The lawmakers questioned the former Bayelsa governor’s right to comment on the situation in Rivers, arguing that the state’s Administrator, Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ibas, is a civilian by virtue of his retirement.
Leader of the caucus, Kingsley Chinda, told reporters that the emergency rule was a necessary measure to restore order in the state—a view allegedly shared by the suspended governor himself, who recently thanked the President for the intervention.
The caucus accused Dickson of misleading Fubara and encouraging missteps that eventually led to his suspension. Chinda also called on the Senate Committee on Ethics to investigate what he termed Dickson’s “un-parliamentary utterances.”
“Let it be categorically stated that Rivers State is not under military rule,” Chinda said. “The current Administrator, Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ibas, is a retired officer—just as Senator Seriake Dickson himself is a retired Police Corporal.”
“Both are no longer in active service. Once an officer retires, he becomes a civilian. Any leadership role he assumes is subject to civilian laws and democratic accountability.”
Chinda argued that labelling the administration as a military regime was misleading and intellectually dishonest.
He emphasized that the emergency declaration was a constitutional response to political instability and a breakdown of democratic institutions, a position he said was affirmed by the Supreme Court’s February 28, 2025 judgment.
“The declaration was necessary to prevent chaos and preserve governance structures. Without it, civil society in Rivers State would have collapsed,” Chinda stated.
He added that the constitutional provision for such intervention is clearly outlined in Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution.
“Even the suspended governor, Sim Fubara, has publicly thanked Mr. President for his timely action,” he noted. “Senator Dickson cannot cry more than the bereaved.”
Chinda accused Dickson of promoting ethnic division and misleading Fubara during visits, which ultimately contributed to the governor’s suspension.
“He’s doing it again,” he said. “Dickson is incompetent to claim any defence of democracy. His record as governor speaks for itself.”
The caucus warned Dickson to desist from making inflammatory comments likely to incite unrest in Rivers State.
“He is from Bayelsa. If he wants to cause a crisis, let him do so in his home state,” Chinda said. “We urge security agencies to monitor him closely.”
Leave a Comment