Suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has sparked fresh conversations around the political turmoil in the state after hinting that he may no longer be interested in returning to his position. Speaking candidly at a service of songs in Port Harcourt on Sunday, held in honour of the late elder statesman Edwin Clark, Fubara suggested that his heart has long departed from the seat of power.
In a video that has since circulated widely on social media, the embattled governor seemed to unburden himself of the pressures and expectations surrounding his political fate. "Can’t you see how much better I look?" he said with a calm demeanor. "Do you think I’m still interested in that seat? My spirit has already left that place long ago."
Fubara, who has remained largely reserved since his suspension, added pointedly, “I want everyone to stay focused. There are some battles in life that are simply not worth fighting.”
His remarks come against the backdrop of a fierce political crisis in Rivers State, ignited by a prolonged power struggle with his predecessor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. Their rift, which began as a quiet disagreement, escalated into a full-blown political standoff that destabilized the state government.
On March 18, in an unprecedented move, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing the growing tension and dysfunction within the political landscape. As part of the federal intervention, Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all state lawmakers were suspended from their respective offices.
To stabilize governance in the state, the President appointed retired naval chief Ibok-Ete Ibas as the sole administrator of Rivers. This marked a dramatic turn in the state's political narrative, effectively sidelining all elected officials.
Fubara’s latest comments have fueled speculation that he may be preparing to bow out gracefully from the political scene, rather than re-engage in a power struggle he now deems unnecessary. For many observers, his words signal a man who has found peace away from the turbulence of high-stakes governance.
As Rivers State adjusts to its new reality under federal oversight, the question remains: Is Fubara’s political journey over, or is this simply a calm before a different kind of storm?
