Mystery In The Villa: The Real Reason Tinubu Delayed Fubara’s Reinstatement On Democracy Day

What was anticipated to be a day of celebration in Rivers State turned into deep disappointment for supporters of suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara. June 12—Nigeria’s Democracy Day—came and went without the expected announcement of Fubara’s reinstatement, alongside his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and the dissolved House of Assembly.

Many had hoped the day would mark a major political turning point, with President Bola Tinubu expected to lift the state of emergency declared on March 18—a move that had effectively dismantled democratic governance in the state amid the fierce standoff between Fubara and his estranged political mentor, Nyesom Wike.

Despite growing pressure from influential figures and optimistic signals from high-level meetings in London and Lagos, the President remained conspicuously silent.

According to a source who spoke with Vanguard, “President Tinubu was initially scheduled to announce Fubara’s return on June 12, with the power transfer process projected to take one or two weeks.” That hope, however, was abruptly dashed.

Reports suggest early celebrations by Fubara’s loyalists, who caught wind of the imminent reinstatement, angered Wike’s camp. Allegedly, intense lobbying followed, halting the process until certain undisclosed conditions are met.

Governor Fubara himself hinted at a possible return during a public appearance, stating that he and the suspended officials would be back “very soon.” But events quickly took a different direction.

Meanwhile, Rivers APC factional chairman, Tony Okocha, warned in a press briefing that even if Fubara defects to the APC, he wouldn’t be shielded from impeachment.

He stated: “If Fubara decides to join the APC, that does not absolve him from his offences. The state of emergency stands. His sins won’t be erased just because he joins our party. He hasn’t consulted me. He must enter the party through the front door, not through the window—him and anyone else.”