Concerns as Wike, Assembly members, 23 Local Chairmen snub Fubara’s pre-independence service in Port Harcourt

In apparent show that. It’s ‘not yet uhuru’ for Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State, his state organized pre-independence anniversary service on Sunday was snubbed by Nyesom Wike, his political godfather turned political foe, lawmakers of the State House of Assembly and 23 Local Government Chairmen.

Their absence raised dust and serious concerns among other government functionaries that attended the event, wondering if truce brokered by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would stand the test of time, before things go awry again in Rivers.

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The Nigeria’s 65th anniversary event was the first major event since the restoration of Fubara back to office and the restoration of democratic structures that saw the Rivers State lawmakers back to the Assembly , hence, people expected all the politicians to be together in the event show that they have moved on beyond the political crisis that rocked the State.

Government of Rivers State organised an interdenominational thanksgiving service to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary in Port Harcourt.

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The Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, amaewhule, principal officers of the House and members did not turn out before the end of the service.

In attendance at the service were Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy. Also present were the Rivers State Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi, other members of the state judiciary, security chiefs, and select stakeholders.

Political observers noted that the thanksgiving service was not a partisan or personal gathering but a unifying state event tied to a national celebration — an occasion that traditionally cuts across political divides.

Some concerned political stakeholders said, it was a missed opportunity for all of them to prove to Rivers people that they are all together after the crisis.

A stakeholder observed: “If there was any platform to demonstrate that peace truly exists, this was it. It wasn’t the Governor’s private programme it was an Independence Day thanksgiving service that ordinarily should bring all arms and shades of leadership together.”

The growing perception is that despite the Abuja peace deal, the cold war between Governor Fubara’s camp and loyalists of former Governor Wike remains unresolved and could escalate further.

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