Former President Goodluck Jonathan is among high-profile Nigerians quietly lobbying for the reinstatement of suspended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, with mounting expectations that a resolution could be reached before June 12, Nigeria’s Democracy Day, POLITICS NIGERIA reports.
It is understood that Jonathan has already engaged President Bola Tinubu in a lengthy telephone conversation, advocating for Fubara’s return “on or before June 12 in the spirit of Democracy Day.”
Governor Fubara was suspended on March 18 following a controversial presidential order. The decision, widely described as unconstitutional, has drawn sharp criticism from legal experts and political observers who argue that “there is no part of the Constitution which empowers the president to suspend/remove an elected governor,” even in the event of emergency rule.
Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu and state lawmakers were suspended for six months following heightened tension between the governor and his predecessor Nyesom Wike.
Both have shown signs towards reconciliation and have shifted their stance considerably.
Though it was initially speculated that Tinubu might reinstate Fubara on May 29—his second anniversary in office—those hopes faded when the day passed without action. The focus has now shifted to June 12, when Nigeria marks 26 years of uninterrupted democratic governance.
By June 18, it will be exactly three months since Ibas assumed control of Rivers State as sole administrator. The six-month suspension timeline will lapse by September 18.
Signs of reconciliation first emerged in April when Fubara flew to the United Kingdom via Germany to meet President Tinubu in London. The private meeting, which lasted over three hours, reportedly centred on restoring peace to Rivers State and reinstating suspended democratic institutions.
Sources say the London meeting allowed Tinubu to “observe the chemistry of the suspended governor at close range.”
A follow-up meeting between both leaders took place last Tuesday in Lagos, further raising hopes of reconciliation. A photo of the encounter, which circulated widely online, showed the two in a cordial pose, interpreted by many as a signal that the crisis may soon be resolved.
Just days earlier, Fubara had urged his supporters to remain calm, saying they should “thank Mr. President for his timely intervention to salvage the situation…”
The governor’s outreach, according to insiders, was partly aimed at reaffirming his loyalty to President Tinubu amid speculation that he might align with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar ahead of the 2027 elections. Tinubu, however, is believed to see strategic value in Fubara’s support and is working to protect him from being washed up politically.
One major step in that direction was Tinubu’s presentation of the state’s N1.4 trillion budget to the National Assembly, effectively shielding the governor from impeachment by pro-Wike lawmakers.
Observers say this move eliminated one of the primary flashpoints in the crisis.
Behind the scenes, other influential figures are said to be weighing in. “That is besides the concern expressed by two other former presidents,” a source disclosed, referring to Jonathan’s reported efforts.
According to the same source, Fubara’s visits to Tinubu were prompted by “secret instructions by these forces,” and “by the president’s body language, the governor may be returned sooner than the six months earlier announced by the president.”
