Suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, on Tuesday paid a surprise courtesy visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Lagos, marking a significant development in the ongoing political turbulence in the state.
The visit was confirmed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Media and Information Strategy to the President, who shared the update via his verified Facebook page. “Governor Sim Fubara of Rivers, now on suspension from office, visited President Bola Tinubu in Lagos on Tuesday,” Onanuga wrote.
Governor Fubara’s appearance at the Lagos meeting comes in the wake of a major political crisis that has engulfed Rivers State for months, centered around a bitter power struggle between Fubara and his predecessor and political rival, Nyesom Wike.
The crisis reached a tipping point on March 18, 2025, when President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State during a nationwide broadcast.
Citing the need to restore order and governance, Tinubu announced the immediate suspension of Governor Fubara, his deputy, Mrs. Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months.
In the aftermath of the suspension, the President appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as interim administrator to oversee the affairs of the state during the emergency rule period.
In a related political twist, recent reports by SaharaReporters have claimed that Fubara is now under intense pressure to align with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to unnamed sources, President Tinubu and key actors within the APC-led Federal Government have allegedly executed a calculated campaign of political intimidation, legal manipulation, and institutional coercion aimed at compelling the embattled governor to defect from the opposition.
This pressure campaign is said to have involved a broad array of federal institutions—including the judiciary, security forces, and even the National Assembly—working in tandem to systematically erode Governor Fubara’s power base.
Observers have described the development as “unprecedented and deeply troubling,” warning that it sets a dangerous precedent in Nigeria’s democratic landscape.
According to insiders cited by SaharaReporters, the Federal Government’s strategy is part of a broader move to weaken opposition strongholds ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the goal of consolidating power and reducing political resistance to Tinubu’s anticipated re-election bid.
While details of the conversation between President Tinubu and Governor Fubara during the Lagos visit remain undisclosed, the timing and optics of the meeting have fueled speculation that political realignment may be underway in Rivers State.
As the situation continues to evolve, Nigerians and the international community alike are closely watching developments in Rivers, with growing concerns over the implications for federalism, rule of law, and political tolerance in the country.