Supporters of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara were left disappointed on Thursday after waiting for several hours at the Government House gate in Port Harcourt without seeing the governor.
The large crowd, made up mostly of members of the now-disbanded Simplified Movement, had gathered as early as 6 a.m. hoping to welcome the governor following his reinstatement after six months of emergency rule in the state.
The supporters came from the 23 local government areas of Rivers State, acting on the directive of their local coordinators. They arrived with musical instruments, flutes, drums, and dancing troupes, turning the Government House axis of Nnamdi Azikiwe Road into a carnival-like scene.
However, by 1 p.m., it became clear that the governor would not appear. With no official information, and their leaders making several unanswered phone calls, the mood began to shift. The once-joyful crowd gradually grew restless and started leaving the area.
Among the crowd were some sacked local government chairmen and other key figures involved in the recent political crisis in the state. These included Amb. Chijoke Ihunwo, Ichemati Ezebunwo, and the former factional Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Victor Oko-Jumbo — all strong allies of Fubara during the power struggle.
The supporters had blocked a major portion of the road, forcing motorists and commuters to take inner streets, many of which were also partially blocked by the gathering.
Despite the long wait, Governor Fubara did not show up, and no government official came out to address the crowd. After several hours of uncertainty, the leaders of the group quietly left the scene, and their followers followed suit, boarding the hired buses that brought them.
Sources close to the Government House hinted that Governor Fubara may be distancing himself from the group, as his political alignment appears to be shifting.
It was observed that loyalists of former Governor and current FCT Minister, Chief Nyesom Wike, were not present at the gathering. Many believe this could be a sign that Fubara is attempting to reconcile with Wike and rejoin his original political base.
Insiders say Fubara has shown signs that he wants to move away from the confrontational politics that dominated the last six months and focus on restoring peace in the state.
The Simplified Movement, originally formed to promote Fubara’s political agenda, gained prominence during the political crisis earlier in the year. Its members stood firmly by the governor as he clashed with pro-Wike lawmakers who attempted to remove him from office.
The face-off led to a breakdown of governance in Rivers State and prompted President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in March 2025. He suspended Governor Fubara and appointed Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.) as Sole Administrator.
The emergency rule lasted six months and ended earlier this week, when President Tinubu lifted the directive and reinstated Fubara.
Since his return, however, Fubara has remained largely silent and unseen in public. Many political watchers say his recent actions suggest he is stepping away from political hostilities and looking to rebuild bridges — especially with Wike, his former boss and political godfather.
Several efforts to reach aides of the governor for comment yielded no result, and Fubara remained incommunicado throughout Thursday. His silence has only deepened speculation about the future of the Simplified Movement and the governor’s next steps.
Some members of the group who spoke to reporters said they felt abandoned and confused. One supporter from Obio-Akpor LGA said, “We were asked to come and welcome our governor, but we didn’t even see him. We don’t know what is happening anymore.”
For now, the once-vibrant support base of the Simplified Movement appears to be in limbo, unsure of their place in the current political landscape.
