Former President Goodluck Jonathan is reportedly spearheading discreet negotiations aimed at reinstating the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, ahead of the upcoming June 12 Democracy Day celebration.
According to highly placed sources who spoke with Vanguard, Jonathan has engaged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in at least one private phone conversation, urging him to restore Fubara to office in the interest of national unity and democratic integrity.
“Two other former presidents have also privately expressed concern about the situation,” one source familiar with the developments revealed.
Insiders say that Fubara's recent visits to the Presidential Villa in Abuja were coordinated by influential political actors, including former President Jonathan. These visits, the sources claim, form part of a broader effort to reverse Fubara’s controversial suspension and de-escalate tensions in Rivers State.
“Going by President Tinubu’s body language during recent engagements, there’s a strong indication that Governor Fubara may return to office much earlier than the initially announced six-month timeline,” the source added.
Background: A Crisis Rooted in Political Power Play
President Tinubu had, on March 18, 2025, announced the suspension of Governor Fubara for six months a decision that triggered widespread backlash from legal experts, civil society groups, and opposition leaders. Critics argued that the move lacked constitutional basis and undermined the democratic process.
Constitutional lawyers referenced Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which allows the president to declare a state of emergency but does not empower him to suspend an elected governor. Section 188, they pointed out, places the power of removing a governor solely in the hands of the State House of Assembly, following due process.
The suspension also affected Fubara’s deputy and several lawmakers in the Rivers State House of Assembly, most of whom were allies of former governor Nyesom Wike, now serving as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The crisis stemmed from an intense power struggle between Fubara and Wike over control of the state’s political machinery, particularly the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers.
Eyes on June 12: A Day of Democratic Reckoning
While many had anticipated that President Tinubu would announce Fubara’s return on May 29, during the commemoration of his second year in office, that did not materialize. Attention has now shifted to June 12, a day symbolizing Nigeria’s commitment to democracy, when Tinubu is expected to deliver a nationwide broadcast.
Observers see the occasion as an opportunity for the president to correct course and affirm his government’s dedication to constitutional rule. Democracy Day, celebrated in honour of Chief MKO Abiola and other pro-democracy martyrs such as Kudirat Abiola, General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, and Pa Alfred Rewane, holds profound national significance.
As President Tinubu himself a prominent figure in Nigeria’s democratic struggle prepares to address the nation, pressure is mounting on him to demonstrate that his administration will not betray the very principles for which June 12 stands.
In his 2023 Democracy Day address, Tinubu had declared:
“No matter its imperfections, democracy remains the best form of governance. As president, I am bound by duty both moral and constitutional to uphold this sacred system and protect the rights and freedoms of every Nigerian.”
Emergency Rule Nears Midpoint
Since Fubara’s suspension, Vice Admiral Ibok-Etteh Ibas (retd.) has served as the sole administrator of Rivers State under emergency rule a situation many critics view as unconstitutional and politically motivated.
By June 18, Admiral Ibas would have spent three months in office. The emergency administration is set to expire in September 2025, unless the president acts sooner to reinstate the elected government.
For Tinubu, who once defied military regimes and fought for democratic freedoms, the coming days will be pivotal. Many Nigerians are watching to see whether he will stay true to his pro-democracy roots or continue to preside over what increasingly resembles a constitutional crisis in one of the country’s most politically strategic states.
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