Supporters of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, were left disappointed on Thursday after he failed to appear at the Government House, Port Harcourt, where thousands had gathered to welcome him back to office.
The crowd, which included former local government chairmen loyal to the governor, had trooped in from across the state as early as 6 a.m.
But after waiting for hours without any sight of the governor, many began to disperse between 12 noon and 1 p.m.
Some of the ex-chairmen, including Chijoke Ihunwo of Obio/Akpor and Ezebunwo Itche-Mati of Port Harcourt City, were seen making frantic phone calls as the governor’s whereabouts remained unclear.
Notably absent were supporters of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, as well as the newly elected council chairmen.
Frustration soon set in among those waiting at the gates of the Government House.
“We are going because we are hungry. Maybe when the governor comes, we will return,” one supporter said before leaving.
The development came just as the six-month state of emergency imposed on Rivers expired.
The measure, declared in March by President Bola Tinubu to quell political hostilities between Governor Fubara and the state assembly dominated by Wike’s loyalists, had suspended all political structures in the state.
Tinubu had appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.) as administrator during the period, but on Wednesday, he formally lifted the emergency rule, clearing the way for the restoration of democratic governance in Rivers State.