As Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, resumes office today following the end of the six-month emergency rule, political stakeholders and citizens have lined up a series of pressing expectations from him.
At the top of the list are directives from the State House of Assembly for him to present a new budget and submit a list of commissioner nominees. Meanwhile, the Governor is also expected to address the people of Rivers.
Naijaonpoint understands that the Governor was expected to resume office yesterday as his supporters and allies trooped out to the government house to welcome him.
However, to their disappointment, the Governor did not arrive at the government house on Thursday, seeing his supporters return to their homes later in the evening after hours of waiting.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, while speaking on Channels TV on Thursday, hinted that he had spoken with Fubara the previous day, adding that the Governor stated he was leaving London on Thursday morning.
He said, “As I speak to you, as of yesterday, I spoke to the Governor (Fubara). I told him I was leaving that night to come back, and he told me he was leaving this morning.”
Rivers State Assembly Asks Fubara To Present A Fresh Budget
Naijaonpoint had earlier reported that the Rivers State House of Assembly had demanded that Governor Fubara lay before it a fresh appropriation bill for the year.
The call comes after governance in the state was stalled for months under emergency rule. Lawmakers insist the budget must reflect the priorities of Rivers’ people in areas such as education, health, infrastructure, and security.
Fubara Expected To Nominate Commissioners
Another urgent task is the submission of a list of commissioner nominees for screening and confirmation. Several ministries have been without substantive heads, a situation legislators say has crippled service delivery. By filling these key positions, the governor is expected to restore full executive functionality and improve policy execution across the state.
Governor Fubara Might Address Rivers Citizens
Beyond legislative duties, many residents of Rivers State are eager to hear directly from Governor Fubara. His return marks the end of a turbulent period dominated by political infighting and federal control. Citizens expect him to reassure them of stability, explain the way forward, and outline how his administration will meet their needs.
Restoring Political Stability
Another major expectation is the re-establishment of collaboration with the State House of Assembly. Relations between the executive and legislature collapsed in the months leading up to the emergency declaration, fueling a power struggle that threatened governance.
Citizens also expect quick moves to restore service delivery in key sectors. Hospitals, schools, roads and utilities all require urgent attention after months of disruption. Public workers are looking for renewed assurance on salaries and pensions, while communities want government presence in the form of completed projects and improved security.
Clarifying Power Arrangements
Reports suggest that political negotiations during the emergency rule may have left the governor with limited autonomy. Stakeholders are therefore keen to know how much influence his predecessor and rival factions still hold, and how this will affect his leadership.