Tinubu, Fubara Till 2031, Say Rivers Protesters as Both Reportedly Hold Private Meeting in London

Supporters of suspended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara took to the streets of Port Harcourt on Tuesday, demanding his reinstatement and expressing support for a long-term political alliance with President Bola Tinubu. This comes amid reports that Tinubu and Fubara held a private meeting in London last week to resolve the crisis that has rocked Nigeria’s oil-rich state since March.

The protest, led by the Port Harcourt Township Pressure Group, saw hundreds of demonstrators march from Aggrey Road in the Old Port Harcourt Township. Dressed predominantly in black, they carried placards with messages such as “Fubara, Tinubu Till 2031,” “We Want Back Our Governor,” and “Governor Fubara Is the Pride of Rivers People.” The group called on President Tinubu to revoke the state of emergency declared in the state and reinstate both the suspended governor and state lawmakers.

Prince John Tamunokuro, president of the pressure group, said the decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers was disproportionate when compared to the security situations in states like Ondo, Plateau, and Imo. “We appeal to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Bola Tinubu to reconsider his state of emergency proclamation upon Rivers,” he said.

The protest followed reports confirmed by two presidential aides that Governor Fubara met with President Tinubu in London shortly after the president left Paris. The meeting was said to have been initiated by Fubara, who is reportedly eager to return to office and has shown willingness to make political compromises.

Sources close to the presidency disclosed that Fubara may join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as part of efforts to align with Tinubu and secure political cover. “If Fubara joins the APC, it boosts the president’s influence in Rivers State significantly,” a presidential aide noted.

Fubara’s suspension came on March 18 after two major oil pipeline explosions, which security officials linked to a long-standing political feud between him and lawmakers loyal to his estranged mentor, Nyesom Wike. Tinubu subsequently declared a six-month state of emergency and appointed retired naval chief Ibok-Ete Ibas as sole administrator of the state—a decision widely criticized by opposition leaders, civil society, and the Nigerian Bar Association.

While Wike was reportedly not informed of the London meeting and remains uneasy with developments, Tinubu is expected to mediate a broader reconciliation between the key political actors in the state, including Fubara, Wike, and the state assembly.

Governor Fubara has maintained a conciliatory tone throughout the crisis, even using his Easter message to encourage Rivers residents to support the president. As negotiations continue and public support for Fubara grows, the political future of Rivers State—and potentially national dynamics heading into the 2027 elections—hangs in the balance, with chants of “Tinubu, Fubara till 2031” echoing through the streets.