The Chief Press Secretary to suspended Rivers State Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara has dismissed speculation about the governor’s whereabouts, urging Nigerians to ignore social media reports.
Nelson Chukwudi, speaking to reporters on Friday night, assured that Fubara is “safe and doing well” despite his removal from the Government House alongside his family and security details.
“Forget about what you are reading on social media. The governor is safe and doing well,” Chukwudi stated.
The controversy follows President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State on Tuesday, which led to the suspension of Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all members of the State House of Assembly. In their place, Tinubu appointed retired Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, as the state’s sole administrator.
The National Assembly ratified the emergency rule on Thursday after a closed-door session at both chambers.
Fubara’s suspension stems from a prolonged political feud with state lawmakers aligned with his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, which escalated into a full-blown crisis, ultimately leading to the president’s intervention.
Concerns over Fubara’s whereabouts intensified after the South-South Elders Forum raised alarm on Thursday. The forum’s coordinator and Niger Delta activist, Anabs Sara-Igbe, claimed that they had not seen or heard from the governor since his removal from office on March 18, 2025.
He noted that efforts to reach the governor have been unsuccessful, fueling widespread speculation and social media demands for answers regarding his location.
