Tinubu Urged to Reinstate Fubara Without Delay

Calls are growing louder from the South-South region for President Bola Tinubu to lift the emergency rule in Rivers State and reinstate Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Stakeholders across the region, including leaders, lawyers, and rights advocates, are pushing for immediate action rather than waiting for the six-month timeline to expire on September 18.

The suspension of Fubara, along with his deputy and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, was declared by the president in March. Many say the action was unconstitutional and has left a vacuum in leadership. The current situation followed a breakdown in relations between Fubara and former governor Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. Though both parties announced a truce in June, many in the region question why the state remains under emergency rule despite the apparent peace.

Several South-South voices have stated that Rivers is now calm, and the issues that once created political tension have since faded. They argue that the continued delay in restoring democratic order suggests either reluctance from the presidency or hidden motives. They also point out that the National Assembly has already passed the state’s budget, indicating that normal governance should resume.

Critics argue that suspending an elected governor and imposing emergency rule without clear constitutional backing damages Nigeria’s democracy. They say such actions reduce the independence of states and place too much power in the hands of the federal government. Many feel the governor’s political decisions, including whether to align with the ruling party, should not determine his right to hold office.

There is frustration that the Supreme Court has yet to address the legality of the suspension. Legal minds believe the delay in resolving this issue in court adds to the constitutional confusion, allowing political decisions to override legal ones. They insist that only through the courts can democratic practices be fully defended and restored.

People in the region are also questioning why, after a widely publicized reconciliation between Wike and Fubara, the suspension remains in effect. Some believe President Tinubu is stalling until the emergency period runs its full course, but this is being viewed as damaging to public confidence and political stability in the state.

Many are now urging the president to end what they describe as executive overreach. They believe every day that the suspension lingers, Rivers State suffers, and national democracy is weakened. For them, restoring Fubara immediately would be the first step in repairing public trust and reinforcing the rule of law.