Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State is back in office after the six months’ emergency rule declared by President Bola Tinubu in the state elapsed.

The emergency rule followed a prolonged political crisis caused by the rift between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who is the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Mr Fubara resumed duties on 19 September, a day after the six-month emergency period elapsed and two days after President Tinubu declared its end.

Truce or capture?

Reports suggested that Mr Fubara accepted “difficult agreements” to be reinstated as governor during a fresh truce brokered by President Tinubu.

One of such “difficult decisions,” according to a report by TheCable, was that Mr Fubara would be reinstated to complete his four-year tenure, but must forgo any plans to seek a second term in 2027. The condition, observers say, would limit Mr Fubara’s clout, but he agreed to it.

As part of the conditions, according to the report, Mr Wike would be allowed to nominate all the local government chairpersons of the state’s 23 LGAs.

Mr Fubara also reportedly agreed to pay all outstanding allowances and entitlements owed to the 27 lawmakers loyal to Mr Wike who were suspended from the state assembly. In return, the lawmakers would not initiate any impeachment proceedings against him.

Some political analysts say that while the truce was imperative, Mr Fub