Rivers State Info Commissioner Addresses Fubara’s Status and Life in Port Harcourt Amid Heavy Military Presence

 

As Rivers State navigates the fallout from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency on March 18, 2025, the state’s Commissioner for Information and Communications, Warisenibo Joe Johnson, has provided insight into the current situation. Speaking in an exclusive interview with PREMIUM TIMES on Wednesday, March 19, at approximately 2:15 p.m. WAT, Johnson shed light on the whereabouts of suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the atmosphere in Port Harcourt, and the significant military presence at the Government House. His remarks come amid heightened tensions following the suspension of Fubara, his deputy Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, and the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months, with Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd) appointed as sole administrator.

Fubara’s Stability and Uncertain Location

When asked about Governor Fubara’s whereabouts, Johnson offered a measured response, stating, “The governor is stable and in a safe location.” He declined to specify whether Fubara remained at the Government House or had relocated to his private residence in Port Harcourt or his hometown of Opobo, fueling speculation about the governor’s movements. Reports from various sources indicate that Fubara vacated the Government House on Wednesday morning, shortly after soldiers and armored personnel carriers (APCs) took control of the premises on Tuesday night. Johnson’s reticence to confirm Fubara’s exact location underscores the sensitivity of the situation as the state adjusts to emergency rule.

Johnson emphasized Fubara’s resilience, noting that the governor remains committed to the people of Rivers State despite the upheaval. “He is stable, and his focus is on ensuring the welfare of our citizens,” the commissioner said, sidestepping questions about Fubara’s physical presence in the state capital. This ambiguity aligns with conflicting accounts: some suggest Fubara was briefly held by soldiers at the Government House before leaving, while others claim he departed abruptly after Tinubu’s broadcast.

Heavy Military Presence at Government House

A striking feature of Johnson’s commentary was his acknowledgment of the substantial military deployment at the Government House along Azikiwe Road in Port Harcourt. “There’s a high military presence there right now,” he confirmed, describing a scene where armed soldiers and at least two APCs have been stationed since Tuesday evening, around 9 p.m. This takeover followed Tinubu’s announcement and has transformed the seat of state power into a heavily guarded zone, a stark contrast to its usual accessibility.

The commissioner’s observation corroborates reports from residents and eyewitnesses who noted military trucks and personnel flooding the area shortly after the emergency declaration. Johnson suggested that this heightened security is tied to the transition to Vice Admiral Ibas’s administration, though he refrained from speculating on its duration. “It’s a measure to ensure order during this period,” he stated, though he questioned why such measures were deemed necessary when Port Harcourt itself remains largely calm.

Life in Port Harcourt: Business as Usual?

Despite the dramatic political shifts, Johnson painted a picture of relative normalcy in Port Harcourt. “Life is going on as usual,” he told PREMIUM TIMES. “People are moving about, going to work, and carrying out their daily activities.” This assessment aligns with observations that, beyond the immediate vicinity of the Government House, the city has not descended into chaos. Residents and motorists, initially rattled by Tinubu’s announcement, appear to have resumed their routines by Wednesday, suggesting that the emergency rule’s impact is—for now—confined to the political sphere rather than disrupting civilian life.

However, Johnson expressed skepticism about the federal government’s narrative. When pressed on Tinubu’s claim that Fubara failed to disown militants threatening oil pipelines, the commissioner countered, “The governor has consistently worked to maintain peace and implement the Supreme Court’s ruling on the state assembly.” He hinted at a perceived double standard, questioning why Nyesom Wike, the Federal Capital Territory Minister and Fubara’s political rival, faced no repercussions despite his role in the escalating crisis.

A Broader Critique of the Emergency Declaration

Johnson’s remarks carried an undercurrent of frustration with the federal intervention. He argued that the state of emergency was an overreaction to a political feud, exacerbated by lawmakers loyal to Wike, rather than a genuine breakdown of law and order. “Port Harcourt is stable,” he reiterated, pointing to the absence of widespread unrest as evidence that the crisis did not warrant such drastic measures. His comments echo sentiments from opposition leaders like Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, who have labeled the declaration unconstitutional and a power grab.

The commissioner also addressed a reported fire at the Port Harcourt Refinery, dismissing its connection to the political turmoil. “That’s a separate operational issue, not tied to this situation,” he clarified, seeking to separate economic concerns from the governance crisis.

Looking Forward: Uncertainty and Resilience

As of March 21, 2025, Rivers State remains in a state of flux. Vice Admiral Ibas assumed duties on Thursday, March 20, with Fubara’s portrait still hanging in the Government House—a symbolic nod to continuity amid disruption. Johnson’s assurances of stability contrast with the heavy military footprint, suggesting a dual reality: a city striving for normalcy under the shadow of federal control.

For now, the Rivers State Information Commissioner stands as a voice of calm, defending Fubara’s leadership while navigating the uncertainties of emergency rule. Whether this military presence will escalate or subside remains unclear, but Johnson’s message to residents is resolute: “We are stable, and we will weather this storm.” As Nigeria watches, the unfolding drama in Rivers State tests the resilience of its democracy and the balance of power between state and federal authorities.