Political tensions are rising once again in Rivers State, weakening hopes that suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara might return to office before the six-month state of emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu on March 18 comes to an end.

Many had hoped that President Tinubu would announce Fubara’s reinstatement during his Democracy Day address on May 29. However, recent events in Port Harcourt suggest that such expectations may not be realistic.

The controversy began on Friday at a women’s empowerment event organized by the Office of the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu. The event, aimed at benefiting 500 women across the state, took a dramatic turn when several beneficiaries walked out on Dr.

Theresa Ibas, who represented the First Lady. Dr. Ibas is the wife of Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd), the Sole Administrator of Rivers State.

“Sponsoring people to insult the president and his wife under the guise of seeking peace,” was the warning issued by Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, in response to the controversial walkout that recently made headlines.

Speaking through his aide, Lere Olayinka, Wike described the incident as a direct insult to the Presidency and extended an apology to both the First Lady and President Tinubu.

Key Niger Delta stakeholders and various women groups swiftly dismissed Wike’s claims, accusing him of politicizing the incident. Annkio Briggs, a rights activist and spokesperson for the Ijaw Republican Assembly, firmly defended the women's actions, stating that they were not influenced by any political figure.

“These women mobilised from all 23 LGAs. They printed banners featuring both Mrs. Tinubu and Mrs. Fubara. They even prepared a gift for the First Lady,” she said, adding, “Blaming Governor Fubara is like giving a dog a bad name to hang it.”

The women, under the banner of Rivers Women Unite for Sim, issued a statement distancing Governor Fubara from their protest. “We are organic supporters, not puppets,” they stated. “Governor Fubara had no hand in our protest. We did not insult the First Lady. That narrative is Wike’s usual attempt to blackmail Riverspeople.”

They added, “Political power is transient. This phase will pass, and history will judge everyone involved.”

Professor Benjamin Okaba, President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), echoed their position, describing the protest as peaceful and misrepresented. He noted that the women wore T-shirts featuring the names of both the First Lady and Governor Fubara.

As accusations and rebuttals continue to fly, it’s apparent that the already fragile peace deal between Wike and Fubara has broken down. With President Tinubu caught in the middle, the political future of Rivers’ State remains uncertain, and the prospect of Fubara returning to Government House seems increasingly remote.