Rivers: PDP Urges Fubara to Remain in the Party

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State has urged the reinstated Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, to remain with the party. They appealed to him to focus on strengthening the PDP and rebuilding Rivers State, which has faced months of political unrest.

President Bola Tinubu had on March 18 declared a six-month emergency rule in Rivers, suspending Fubara, his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, and members of the State House of Assembly.

The crisis stemmed from a prolonged political feud between Fubara and his predecessor, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

On Wednesday, Tinubu announced the end of the emergency rule and directed the suspended officials to resume office with effect from Thursday.

In his reaction to the development, PDP Vice-Chairman (Lagos Central), Hakeem Olalemi, urged Fubara to govern without fear and remain committed to the people’s mandate.

“The governor should not muster any fear; the deed has been done. He should continue strong and be faithful in doing what is expected of him as governor,” Olalemi said in an interview with journalists on Thursday.

“Fubara must make Rivers great again. He should nurture the party that brought him to power into a bigger platform. He should not jettison that party but ensure it becomes stronger in the state and region.”

READ MORE:

• House of Reps Sets Date for Vote on State Police Establishment
• Stanbic IBTC Partners with National Theatre to Spark Creativity in 180 Children at the 2026 Blue Kids Day – The ToonTopia Edition
• Relief as Dangote Foundation Distributes Rice to Cement Host Communities in Ogun
• HabariPay Launches Maiden “HabariPay Impact Report 2025”, Showcasing Its Journey, Business Evolution, and Contributions to Digital Payments
• Kwankwasiyya Leaders Meet Dickson, NDC Amid Kano Crisis, Say Candidates Won’t Be Imposed

‘No Cause for Celebration Yet’

Olalemi further cautioned political actors against unnecessary jubilation over Fubara’s reinstatement, stressing that the mandate originally given by the people had been “weakened” by the prolonged suspension.

“There is no need for us to clap, dance, or celebrate. Fubara has only gotten back the mandate freely given to him at the ballot but now weakened,” he said.

He called on both the legislative and executive arms to bury their differences and work together for the welfare of the people.

“These are the people that voted them, and their interest should supersede all politics and politicking,” he added.

The PDP chieftain also appealed to the 27 lawmakers who defected to the All Progressives Congress during the crisis to retrace their steps.

“I advise those lawmakers to return to the PDP fully and work to rebuild the party. The people of Rivers deserve stability, unity, and the dividends of democracy,” Olalemi said.

He emphasised that the people had endured months of uncertainty and deserved to “reap the fruit of their labour” through effective governance.