Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed concerns over the absence of the Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, after his reinstatement.

Naijaonpoint recalls that President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State at the peak of the rift between Fubara and loyalists of his estranged political godfather, Wike.

Tinubu suspended Fubara, Ngozi Odu, the Deputy Governor, and members of the Rivers House of Assembly for a period of six months.

He appointed former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Ibot Ekwe Ibas, as Sole Administrator of the State, a move which was heavily criticised by many political elites.

However, on Wednesday, the President stated that the emergency rule would expire at midnight, stressing that the state’s sentiments indicated there was no need for it to last a day longer and ordered Fubara, his deputy and the lawmakers to resume duties.

While the House of Assembly members convened plenary, neither Fubara nor his deputy was seen in public despite the supporters who had stormed the Rivers Government House to welcome him.

Speaking on Thursday during an interview on Channels Television, Wike says there is no law compelling Fubara to immediately return to office following the end of the six-month emergency rule in the state.

The Minister emphasised that governance extends beyond physical presence in the office, adding that the governor has the prerogative to determine when and how he resumes official duties.

He said: “I am not his (Fubara) protocol officer. I am not his Chief Security Officer. There is no law that says he must resume work today. He is a governor. I don’t understand the way we operate. Being sworn in today does not mean I will go to the office tomorrow.

“You don’t know what my programmes are. You don’t know where he is. Governance does not mean one must be in the office to govern.”