Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, says there is no law compelling the reinstated Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, to immediately return to office following the end of the six-month emergency rule in the state.
Recall that President Bola Tinubu had declared a state of emergency in Rivers State at the height of the spat between Governor Fubara and loyalists of his estranged political godfather, Wike, the immediate past governor of the state.
Tinubu had suspended Fubara, the Deputy Governor, Ngozi Odu and members of the Rivers House of Assembly for six months.
The President had appointed former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Ibot Ekwe Ibas as Sole Administrator of the State, drawing strong criticisms and opposition.
However on Wednesday, Tinubu said the emergency rule would elapse at midnight, adding that feelers from the state showed that there was no need for it to last a day longer.
He had ordered Fubara, his deputy and the lawmakers to resume duties.
But while the House of Assembly members convened plenary, neither Fubara nor his deputy was seen in public.
Wike, who spoke on Thursday during an interview on Channels Television, dismissed concerns over Fubara’s absence.
He argued that governance extends beyond physical presence in the office, stressing that the Governor has the prerogative to determine when and how he resumes official duties.
Wike said, “I am not his (Fubara) protocol officer. There is no law that says he must resume work today. He is a governor. I don’t understand the way we operate. Being sworn in today does not mean I will go to the office tomorrow.
“You don’t know what my programmes are. You don’t know where he is. Governance does not mean one must be in the office to govern.”
Speaking further on Fubara’s whereabouts, he said, “I am not his Chief Security Officer. I am not his protocol officer.”
Wike who stated that peace had been restored in Rivers, assured that political actors were now committed to stability.
“As I speak to you, as of yesterday, I spoke to the governor (Fubara). I told him I was leaving that night to come back, and he told me he was leaving this morning. So, I can tell you that, by the grace of God, peace has returned,” the minister said.
