On Sunday, Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara participated in a thanksgiving service celebrating Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day. The event, held at St. Paul’s Cathedral in Garrison, Port Harcourt, was notably missing the presence of lawmakers aligned with the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike.
The ceremony attracted Governor Fubara, his close aides, and a limited number of supporters. During the service, the governor read a passage from the Bible but chose not to make a public address. As of the time of reporting, his communications team had not released any official comments regarding the occasion.
The conspicuous absence of 27 legislators loyal to Wike underscores ongoing political strains, despite a reconciliation agreement reached earlier in September. Both Governor Fubara and the state assembly members had only recently returned to their duties on September 18, following a six-month suspension initiated by President Bola Tinubu on March 18. This suspension was part of a state of emergency declared to resolve the extended conflict between the governor and his former political patron, Wike.
Meanwhile, Martin Amaewhule, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly and leader of the pro-Wike faction, celebrated his 52nd birthday on the same day. His thanksgiving service took place at the Anglican Church in Eliozu, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, coinciding with the church’s Annual Youth Harvest. The event was attended by numerous supporters and allies.
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During the celebration, Amaewhule recounted his harrowing experience of being kidnapped in 2008, during which he endured five days in captivity with a fractured skull. “Many intended to end my life, but God declared, ‘He is my son; he shall live.’ Today, I stand alive, well, and 52 years old. That alone is a profound reason to give thanks,” he shared with the congregation.
The Speaker revealed that he had foregone celebrating his 50th and 51st birthdays due to personal hardships, making this 52nd birthday a purposeful expression of gratitude. The event concluded with prayers for Amaewhule and his family, followed by the traditional cutting of his birthday cake.
Notably, all 23 local government chairpersons in Rivers State, including those elected under the Peoples Democratic Party banner, were absent from Governor Fubara’s independence thanksgiving service.
