2027: Fubara’s Suspension, Return Won’t Hinder Tinubu’s Re-Election — Senator Arise …Says APC firmly in control of Rivers grassroots

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from Ekiti State, Senator Ayodele Arise, has dismissed speculations that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027 could be affected by the political crisis in Rivers State.

Senator Arise faulted critics of President Tinubu’s decision last March to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State, which led to the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all members of the State House of Assembly for six months.

Following the proclamation, President Tinubu appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas as Administrator to oversee the affairs of the state “in the interest of the people of Rivers State.” The governor, his deputy, and the suspended lawmakers have since resumed duties after the expiration of the emergency rule.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) had condemned the President’s action, describing it as undemocratic.

Speaking to journalists over the weekend, Senator Arise argued that Governor Fubara’s actions—such as the demolition of the State Assembly complex—posed a grave threat to democracy. He recalled that bombings of oil installations in Rivers before the emergency declaration endangered Nigeria’s economic stability.

He said:
“By and large, we must thank Mr. President for the decision he took. At that time, Rivers State was almost slipping out of control. The demolition of the State Assembly building crippled legislative functions, while oil installations were under attack. These compelled the President to intervene.

“As the leader of the Federation, he could not watch as tension escalated in Rivers, a state critical to our national revenue. Violence there would have forced oil workers and engineers to flee. Failure to act would have meant abandoning his duty.”

Arise added that President Tinubu’s intervention had paved the way for peace, noting that Governor Fubara himself has openly declared his commitment to peace. He urged those expecting perpetual hostility between Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to move on for the sake of Rivers people.

The former senator, who represented Ekiti North between 2007 and 2011, dismissed claims that Rivers voters would punish Tinubu at the polls for his handling of the crisis. He recalled that the APC won 14 out of 23 local governments in Rivers during the last presidential election and expressed confidence the party would repeat the feat.

He added that Fubara and other Niger Delta governors would ultimately support Tinubu’s second-term bid.

“Why wouldn’t Fubara support the President? Even if he doesn’t, Wike still holds the political structures and would defeat him in an election. The APC is well-rooted in Rivers. Wike has put many Rivers indigenes in jobs within the FCT, and these individuals will return home to deliver for the party.

“The APC controls the grassroots in Rivers through local government chairmen, who will want to keep the people on their side. With that, the President is in a very strong position ahead of 2027,” Arise declared.