Governor Siminalayi Fubara and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly regained their seats after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ended the six-month emergency rule on Wednesday midnight. While lawmakers resumed almost immediately with a plenary session led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, Governor Fubara was noticeably absent from the Government House, leaving his supporters waiting without answers.

As early as 6 a.m., loyalists of the governor, popularly known as the Simplified Movement, gathered in large numbers at the Government House with drums, songs, and dancing troupes to welcome him. However, after more than seven hours of waiting, they left disappointed as Fubara neither appeared nor addressed the state. Security operatives at the gate also restricted access, raising further tension.

Hints about the governor’s absence came from Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike, who revealed during a TV interview that Fubara was returning from a vacation in Europe. Wike, who described the political crisis as over, said both he and the governor had spoken and agreed to work towards peace in Rivers. He added that he had already forgiven Fubara, insisting the state must now focus on progress.

Meanwhile, the Assembly resumed legislative business with key resolutions. The lawmakers vowed to review the budget passed during the tenure of Sole Administrator Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, probe state finances during emergency rule, and called on Fubara to send in a fresh list of commissioners and a new appropriation bill for the remaining part of the year. The Speaker, Amaewhule, praised President Tinubu for restoring democracy in the state and assured that the House would cooperate with the governor in line with the peace deal.