Suspended But Not Silent: Fubara Calls for Reconciliation and Backs President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda
By Amiida Fraser. MFR.
The National Patriots.
April 19, 2025
In a tone that surprised political observers and signaled a potential shift toward reconciliation, the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has publicly called on the people of the state to align with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing the administration as the path to a “better tomorrow.”
“Therefore, I call on the good people of Rivers State to continue to support and align with the Renewed Hope Agenda of our dear President, His Excellency, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, while looking forward to a better tomorrow,” Fubara stated during a recent address, marking his first major political comment since his controversial suspension.
The statement comes amid intensified political turbulence in Rivers State, where President Tinubu declared a State of Emergency in March 2025 following escalating political violence and a governance deadlock. As part of the emergency measures, Fubara, his deputy, and the entire state assembly were suspended from office. The action, while aimed at restoring order, has sparked a national debate on constitutional boundaries and executive overreach.
A Shift from Resistance to Reconciliation
Fubara’s statement, delivered without bitterness or confrontation, reflects a surprising shift from earlier reports that suggested deepening tensions between the suspended governor and federal authorities. His embrace of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda—focused on economic revitalization, security reform, and governance modernization—suggests political maturity and a willingness to de-escalate hostilities.
Political analysts are interpreting this move as strategic humility, aimed at restoring his credibility, protecting the interests of his supporters, and possibly paving the way for a peaceful resolution or return to office.
A Flashpoint in Nigeria’s Federal Dynamics
The Rivers State crisis underscores the fragile balance between federal power and state autonomy in Nigeria’s evolving democracy. This is not the first time that a state has found itself at odds with the federal government, but it is among the rare instances where the President has invoked emergency powers under Section 305 of the Constitution to dissolve state executive structures—a controversial action last used during the Plateau crisis in 2004 under President Obasanjo, albeit without removing the governor.
According to data from the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), Rivers State has experienced over 120 politically-motivated violent incidents since 2015, making it one of the most volatile in Nigeria’s South-South region.
Renewed Hope Agenda: Political Loyalty or National Unity?
By throwing his weight behind the President’s agenda, Fubara could be signaling a realignment with federal priorities. The Renewed Hope Agenda, unveiled by President Tinubu upon his inauguration in May 2023, includes key reforms in infrastructure, youth employment, digital economy, and national security. For Rivers State—a state rich in oil wealth but marred by factional politics and insecurity—federal alignment could attract resources, stability, and development.
Dr. Chukwuma Ugochukwu, a political historian at the University of Port Harcourt, noted:
“Fubara’s statement, though surprising, reflects the strategic wisdom needed in times of political adversity. It could signal a broader détente that aligns Rivers with the center while preserving state dignity.”
Conclusion: Statesmanship in the Storm
Whether symbolic or substantive, Fubara’s appeal for unity with the Renewed Hope Agenda is a rare show of statesmanship amid political storms. It sends a message not only to his allies but to all Nigerians—that reconciliation, not rebellion, may be the path to restoring governance and progress in Rivers State.
What remains to be seen is whether this gesture will be reciprocated with political reintegration, or if it marks a tactical concession in a prolonged battle for power and legitimacy.
Dr. G. Fraser. MFR
The National Patriots
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