Governor Siminalayi Fubara made these remarks during a service of songs held in Port Harcourt on Sunday in honor of the late elder statesman, Edwin Clark. The event was organized by the Rivers Elders Forum.
Addressing the audience, Fubara responded to several speakers who referred to him as “Governor” and condemned his suspension, calling for it to be reversed. He distanced himself from their remarks, stating they were personal views and not necessarily helpful to resolving the ongoing tensions.
“Who says I even want to return to that office? My spirit is no longer there,” Fubara said, suggesting his detachment from the power struggle. He also cautioned against aggressive or impulsive actions, saying, “Not everything should be met with force,” implying a preference for a more measured and strategic approach.
Fubara also criticized some of his supporters, noting that their actions though likely meant to help had only made matters worse for him. He called on those present to focus on celebrating Edwin Clark’s legacy of service and advocacy for the Niger Delta, rather than turning the event into a political battleground.
Rivers State has been entangled in a growing political conflict between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. In December 2023, President Bola Tinubu stepped in to mediate between the two factions. However, the crisis escalated when, on March 18, Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the state, suspending Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all members of the state assembly.
The federal government also appointed retired naval officer Ibok-Ete Ibas as the sole administrator of the state, effectively dissolving the elected leadership and placing Rivers under federal control.
In response to these actions, 11 governors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took the matter to the Supreme Court, challenging the legality of the President’s move. However, the National Assembly urged the court to throw out the suit, calling it baseless and poorly constructed. They argued that the Supreme Court lacks the authority to hear the case and requested that the court impose a N1 billion fine on the plaintiffs for what they described as a frivolous lawsuit.
