Many people in Rivers State, including political groups, were disappointed that President Tinubu didn’t use Nigeria’s Democracy Day on June 12, 2025, to restore democratic leadership in the state.

They had hoped the President would officially bring back Governor Sim Fubara and end the emergency rule. But when Tinubu gave his Democracy Day speech to the National Assembly, he didn’t mention Rivers State at all.

President Tinubu had earlier suspended democratic rule in Rivers State for six months, blaming Governor Fubara for letting the situation get out of control.

In his past speech, Tinubu said that with the violence and threats from militants, democracy couldn’t work properly in Rivers. He claimed Governor Fubara had not publicly distanced himself from these militants.

Tinubu said that on March 18, 2025, he had no choice but to use Section 305 of Nigeria’s Constitution to declare a state of emergency in Rivers because of the growing crisis.

Even though the federal government is still sending money to Rivers State, many locals say the situation is worse now. The Sole Administrator in charge isn’t delivering real governance.

Governor Fubara reportedly tried to present the 2025 state budget to the House of Assembly, but lawmakers stopped him.

On March 12, 2025, when Fubara went to the Assembly quarters as ordered by a court to present the budget, he was denied entry.

Since the emergency rule started, Fubara has visited Wike, the former governor and current FCT Minister, in a bid to make peace. He also met with Tinubu in Lagos before Democracy Day.

Because of all these meetings, many people expected Tinubu to end the emergency rule and restore democracy on June 12, but that didn’t happen.

Senator Henry Seriake Dickson from Bayelsa State said Tinubu missed a big chance to prove he supports democracy by not mentioning Rivers during his speech.

Dickson said Democracy Day should have been used to return power to the people in Rivers. Ignoring the situation sends the wrong message.

He stressed that this isn’t just about Governor Fubara or party politics. It’s about respecting the democratic rights of Rivers people and following the Nigerian Constitution.

A Port Harcourt lawyer and APC member, Chizy Enyi, said Tinubu’s main goal now is to win the 2027 election, and controlling Rivers State helps him do that.

He argued that Tinubu’s suspension of Fubara wasn’t legal. Fubara was elected by the people, and the President has no right to remove him.

Enyi explained that the real problem in Rivers is about political control. Wike wants to keep his structure in place, including who controls local governments and political appointments.

He said Tinubu’s appointment of a Sole Administrator and the installation of Wike’s loyalists into key positions is clear proof that Wike has been handed full control.

He also questioned how local government elections can be held under emergency rule, when the Supreme Court has said unelected officials should not run local governments.

Enyi added that if these appointments were made by Fubara instead of Wike, violence would likely follow. He said it’s obvious that violence in Rivers has mostly come from Wike’s side.

He warned that Tinubu is giving Wike power in Rivers so he can help him win in 2027. But the people will remember this betrayal.

He stressed that Tinubu hasn’t visited Rivers since becoming president, yet wants their votes. The people’s hopes for June 12 were ignored.

Enyi concluded by saying that time will reveal Tinubu’s true intentions, and history will not forget what he has done in Rivers.

Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, another APC chieftain, said Tinubu’s emergency rule is a plan to stop Rivers from growing and to weaken former minister Rotimi Amaechi’s influence.

He said Tinubu’s target is not just Rivers State but Amaechi himself. Tinubu wants to control the state’s resources for the 2027 elections.

He believes the emergency rule will only end once Fubara agrees to follow Tinubu and Wike’s political plan.

Eze also said that while other states are dealing with deadly violence, Tinubu chose to target Rivers for personal political reasons.

He expressed sadness that some leaders from Rivers are celebrating while their state is being harmed.

Dike Emmanuel, a resident of Port Harcourt, said road projects started by Fubara have stopped, and no new projects have begun.

Another resident, Finipri Obomanu, said there was peace in Rivers even before the governor was suspended. He said violence is worse in other states like Benue and Zamfara, not Rivers.

People in Rivers now say they no longer enjoy the benefits of democracy under the emergency rule.

The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) also called on President Tinubu to prove he supports democracy by lifting the emergency rule and returning power to the elected officials in Rivers.

They reminded Tinubu that as someone who benefited from democracy, he should have used June 12 to show he respects Nigeria’s democratic values and the will of Rivers people.