Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara returned to the country on Friday, September 19, 2025 to a rousing welcome as he alighted from a flight at about 11:50a.m. at the Port Harcourt International Airport.
His returned to the State capital followed the end of a six-month emergency rule imposed on the State and his suspension from office by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Fubara’s return came more than 24 hours after President Bola Tinubu officially lifted the six-month state of emergency he imposed on Rivers in March.
The Governor who had been away from office alongside his deputy, Ngozi Odu, was welcomed by a large crowd of supporters who had gathered at the VIP wing of the airport since morning, drumming and singing in celebration.
Their wait was a continuation of Thursday’s scene that equally witnessed thousands of loyalists and supporters that turned out at the Government House with the anticipation to receive him, only to leave disappointed after Fubara failed to show up.
President Tinubu had declared a State of Emergency rule on March 18, 2025, citing deepening political crisis in the State.
During that period the emergency lasted, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd) was appointed as the sole administrator and presided over the State on behalf of President Tinubu and bowed on Wednesday night following the expiration of the emergency rule.
