Rivers state: Governor Siminalayi Fubara on Friday returned to the state following the suspension of the emergency rule declared by President Bola Tinubu. His aircraft touched down at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, at about 11:55 a.m., where he was welcomed by a jubilant crowd of supporters.
According to Voice of Nigeria, Governor Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, were suspended from office on 18 March after President Tinubu imposed a state of emergency to address the protracted political crisis in the state. Retired Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas was appointed as sole administrator for six months.
In a farewell broadcast on Wednesday, Admiral Ibas handed over authority and urged political stakeholders in Rivers to embrace dialogue, peace, and mutual respect. During his tenure, Admiral Ibas inaugurated the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), chaired by Michael Odey, which conducted local government elections in all 23 councils on 30 August. The All Progressives Congress (APC) won in 20 councils, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secured three.