The gates of Government House stirred again. After six months of muted power, suspended authority, and lawmaking on ice, the drums of democracy beat once more in Rivers State.
On September 18, 2025, President Tinubu officially lifted the state of emergency, and Governor Siminalayi Fubara, along with his deputy and the House of Assembly, were reinstated.
For many, there was relief. For others, deep anxiety. Because Fubara’s return isn’t just about returning to office—it’s about what he does now that will matter: which projects he restarts, which relationships he rebuilds, what accountability he demands for the months he was away.
The clock resets, but expectations are high. The people of Rivers are watching. And this chapter can either heal, or deepen wounds.
Here are five critical things Rivers State should expect now that Fubara is back—and what success will look like if they happen.
1. Transparent Audit & Recovery Of Resources
One of the clearest demands from Rivers people and political watchers is an audit of what happened during the emergency administration under Vice Admiral Ibas.
What funds were disbursed? What contracts awarded? Were procurement rules followed? Citizens expect full disclosure of state revenue, project expenditures, and contracts signed while Fubara was suspended.
Without transparency, trust remains broken. A clean audit isn’t an act of blame—it’s a foundation for moving forward. If Fubara delivers that, he restores some of the moral authority lost. If not, suspicion lingers.
2. Swift Resumption Of Key Infrastructure Projects
Among the many setbacks during those months were delays or suspensions of infrastructure works. Prior to the emergency, roads like the Omoku-Elele Road, Trans-Kalabari Road, the Port Harcourt Ring Road, and others were flagged by stakeholders as high-impact projects that needed momentum.
As Fubara resumes, people expect these projects to pick up pace—not just in name, but in visible progress: construction, cleared sites, mobilization of contractors, transparent budget allocations. That’s how citizens see deliverables, not just promises.
3. Reactivation Of Legislative Processes
With the House of Assembly resuming, critical expectations fall on both Fubara and lawmakers:
* Submission of commissioner-nominees for screening and confirmation.
* Presentation and passage of an appropriation bill that reflects current realities: inflation, stalled projects, backlog in services.
* Legislative oversight: inspecting contracts awarded during emergency, investigating financial decisions, and ensuring obligations to LGAs (local governments) were honored.
Effective governance demands both the executive and legislative branches working not in tension, but in collaboration, rooted in constitutional responsibilities.
4. Setting Tone For Reconciliation & Unity
The emergency period fractured political relationships: between factions in the PDP, between the governor’s office and the House, between local governments and state administrators.
Many Rivers people want peace, but not at the cost of justice. They’ll expect Fubara to:
* Reach out to political rivals with olive branches (not just statements).
* Reinstate or engage party structures meaningfully.
* Signal that governance is inclusive, not punitive — letting local officials, community leaders, and even critics feel heard.
Also Read: Stay in PDP, Rivers Begs Fubara: Why the Party Cannot Afford to Lose Him Now
True unity won’t come from decrees alone, but from genuine dialogue and shared governance.
5. Improved Service Delivery & Public Welfare
Above all, the return to office must translate into better lives. While power, politics, and project sites get headlines, people care most about electricity, water, health care, education, job opportunities. Examples include:
* Health sector: finishing zonal hospitals, restocking supplies, rehabbing equipment, hiring staff. Fubara had earlier promised improvements to zonal hospitals and other health initiatives.
* Local government functioning: restoring elected LG chairmen, ensuring LGs get funding, autonomy, and capacity to deliver local services.
* Infrastructure in underserved areas, especially road networks in rural and riverine local governments.
The Measuring Stick Is Visible Change
Resumption day may be symbolic. But what will define this return is *outcome*. When Rivers people wake up six months from now, they’ll ask: “Do roads look better? Did the legislature pass a budget we can see? Are our LGs functional? Did we hear truth about what happened in those dark months?”
If Governor Fubara meets those expectations, Rivers could move beyond crisis toward renewal. If not, this resumption risks being just another reset button without traction.
