By Oluwabukunmi
29th September 2025 – Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, on Sunday held a thanksgiving service at St. Paul’s Cathedral, Garrison, Port Harcourt, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary. However, the event was overshadowed by the conspicuous absence of 27 state lawmakers loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, as well as all 23 local government chairmen in the state.
Governor Fubara, who read a Bible passage during the service, made no public remarks, and his media team has yet to issue an official statement on the event.
The development has raised fresh concerns over the state of reconciliation between Fubara and his predecessor, Wike, despite their public truce in September following a six-month political crisis that prompted President Bola Tinubu to declare emergency rule in Rivers State.
Meanwhile, Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, who leads the pro-Wike bloc, hosted a separate thanksgiving service at the Anglican Church, Eliozu, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, to celebrate his 52nd birthday and the church’s Annual Youth Harvest.
Speaking at the event, Amaewhule recalled his survival from a 2008 abduction, describing his birthday thanksgiving as a deliberate act of gratitude.
Sources within the political camp suggested the boycott of Fubara’s service was intentional, with pro-Wike allies reportedly insisting they would not share platforms with the governor until he distances himself from loyalist lawmakers and his Chief of Staff, Edison Ehie.
A close ally of Fubara, who spoke anonymously, admitted the absence was troubling but urged patience ahead of Nigeria’s Independence Day celebrations on October 1.
The absence of key political actors at the governor’s thanksgiving has further fueled speculation that Rivers’ fragile peace deal may be under strain, despite public assurances of reconciliation.
