Dozens of loyalists of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara dispersed from the Government House gate in Port Harcourt after waiting in vain for the governor to address or acknowledge them.
The gathering was made up largely of members of the now-defunct Simplified Movement, Fubara’s once-vibrant political support group.
Mobilised from across the 23 local government areas on the orders of their leaders, the group had hoped to meet with the governor in a show of solidarity.
Among those present were recently sacked local government chairmen, including Ambassador Chijoke Ihunwo, Ichemati Ezebunwo, and former factional Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Victor Oko-Jumbo—figures who were prominently involved in the state’s recent political turmoil.
The supporters began arriving at the Government House as early as 6 a.m., equipped with traditional musical instruments, flutes, drums, and dance troupes.
Their intent was to celebrate and welcome the governor, but as the hours dragged on without any sign of him, their enthusiasm began to wane.
Read Also: President Tinubu Lifts Rivers State Emergency Rule
The crowd took over Nnamdi Azikiwe Road, causing major disruptions to traffic flow in the area.
Read Also
Motorists were forced to find alternative routes through congested inner roads, many of which were also partially blocked by the gathering.
By 1 p.m., after several hours of waiting without any official communication from the governor or his aides, frustration set in.
Organisers were seen making repeated, unanswered phone calls in an attempt to establish contact.
Eventually, the leaders began to leave, and their supporters followed, departing in the vehicles that had brought them from their various LGAs.
Sources familiar with the situation suggested that Governor Fubara’s apparent silence signaled a shift in his political posture.
Observers believe he may be moving closer to reconciling with his political mentor and predecessor, Chief Nyesom Wike, rather than continuing the feud that had rocked the state in recent months.
Notably absent from the gathering were current local government chairmen and key figures loyal to Wike raising further speculation about a realignment within the state’s political landscape.
Meanwhile, Fubara’s whereabouts remained unknown as he remained incommunicado.
