Siminalayi Fubara is expected to return as governor of Rivers State on September 18, marking the end of the six-month state of emergency imposed by President of Bola Tinubu on the state on March 18.

A source at the Presidential Villa in Abuja told journalists that Fubara was required to relinquish control over all governance structures as a precondition for reinstatement.

“He will not control the local government and the Rivers State House of Assembly. This is to ensure that peace reigns,” the source said.

“On his return, he will be handed the list of commissioners, which he will pass on to the House of Assembly for approval.”

The source furthermore disclosed that key appointments, project priorities, capital projects and major expenditures will be decided from Abuja.

This move is intended to prevent clashes between Fubara and lawmakers, the source said, noting that “Wike will take all the bullets” for the governor.

Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago on Monday dissolved his cabinet during the weekly State Executive Council Meeting, warning the outgone commissioners against lobbying anyone for any position.

He ordered the Permanent Secretaries to take over affairs of the ministries pending when new commissioners will be inaugurated.

“Don’t lobby anyone, no one can lobby me. As you leave here, please hand over to the Permanent Secretaries in your ministries,” he said.

Bago assured that in a week or two, he will constitute a new cabinet, adding that he has reviewed everyone’s performance.

He said that while some performed well, others did not perform very well.

• Nasir El-Rufai

Nasir El-Rufai, a former Kaduna State Governor, says that four years is not sufficient to deliver meaningful reforms.

He, therefore, urged former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, and his ex-Anambra State counterpart, Peter Obi, to desist from making one-term presidency pledges.

Recalled that Obi, who was the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, has consistently said he would serve only one term if elected president in 2027, insisting that four years is enough to reset Nigeria.

Obi also argued that history shows purposeful leadership is defined by impact, not tenure length.

Similarly, Amaechi, a former Minister of Transportation and now a member of the African Democratic Congress, said he would be willing to serve just one term if he secures his party’s presidential ticket.

He stated that he would step down after four years to promote rotation and stability.

Reacting to these claims, El-Rufai dismissed the idea, noting that both men, having governed their respective states, should know that four years is not sufficient to deliver meaningful reforms.

“Now, on the question of people coming out and saying, I will do one term, I don’t think anyone believes that.“I don’t think it is right. You should not constitutionally give up what is yours. And frankly, as someone who has been governor for eight years, and Amaechi and Peter Obi have both been governors, they know the time it takes to make meaningful change in government.

El-Rufai emphasized that four years is not enough and politicians who make such pledges often change their minds once they assume office.

“So, I want to appeal to everyone to stop making these commitments of ‘I will do four years’ or ‘I will do eight years’, because nobody believes you,” he added.

El-Rufai also explained that his support for power shift to the South in the 2023 election stemmed from an agreement reached by leaders of the All Progressives Congress during the party’s formation.