From as early as 6 a.m., men and women trooped in from across the state, some traveling from rural communities, expecting to witness the governor’s first day back in office.
By Ife Osemedua
365Daily – The hope of a triumphant return for Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, fizzled on Thursday after thousands of his supporters who massed at the Government House, Port Harcourt, were left waiting in vain.
From as early as 6 a.m., men and women trooped in from across the state, some traveling from rural communities, expecting to witness the governor’s first day back in office after the end of emergency rule. By midday, frustration began to mount as there was no sign of Fubara.
By 1 p.m., the crowd thinned out, with many supporters complaining of hunger and exhaustion.
“We are going because we are hungry. Maybe when the governor comes, we will return,” one supporter said while leaving.
Former local government chairmen loyal to Fubara, including ex-Obio/Akpor chairman Chijoke Ihunwo and his Port Harcourt City counterpart, Ezebunwo Itche-Mati, were seen coordinating their groups and making frantic calls as the wait dragged on.
Noticeably absent were backers of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, including the newly elected council chairmen aligned with him.
The anticlimax followed the expiration of the six-month emergency rule imposed in March after a bitter political standoff between Fubara and the Wike-backed state assembly.
During the crisis, President Bola Tinubu dissolved political structures in the state and installed Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.) as sole administrator.
On Wednesday, Tinubu formally lifted the emergency, restoring democratic governance.