Thousands of Rivers State residents who had gathered around the Government House in Port Harcourt on Thursday left disappointed after Governor Siminalayi Fubara failed to appear, hours after the official end of emergency rule in the state.

The crowd, made up of supporters, party loyalists, and well-wishers, had converged early in the day in anticipation of the governor’s return to office, hoping to see him resume duty and address the public following six months of federal control.

As at 7.00pm., there was still no sign of Fubara or his deputy, and the once-energetic atmosphere had faded into silence. 

Several people in the crowd began to disperse as at 5pm, expressing uncertainty and concern over the governor’s absence.

No official statement has been issued by the state government to explain why Governor Fubara did not make a public appearance, fuelling the uncertainty in the state.