Scores of supporters of suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, held statewide prayer rallies across the 23 local government areas on Easter Monday, calling for his reinstatement amid the ongoing political crisis in the state.
Gathering under the banner of the Simplified Movement, the supporters—predominantly women—offered prayers, praise, and songs, seeking divine intervention in what they described as a difficult chapter in the state’s governance.
In Ahoada East, a group leader, Stephen Ihua-Maduenyi, linked the spiritual nature of the rally to Easter, saying,
“Our Lord Jesus Christ resurrected, and we are here to celebrate that and call on Him to do the same for our Governor. We believe President Tinubu is a democrat and will act in Rivers State’s best interest.”
Also speaking, suspended Commissioner for Education Dr. Ovy Chukwuma made a bold statement of political resilience:
“They tried to bury us in Rivers State, but we are alive. Rivers State is alive, and Rivers State is with Governor Siminalayi Fubara.”
Supporters expressed hope in President Tinubu’s intervention, trusting that the crisis will end with Fubara’s reinstatement and the restoration of peace in Rivers State.
Meanwhile, the crisis took another turn as Lere Olayinka, media aide to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, responded harshly to Femi Falana (SAN) over comments he made regarding the Supreme Court ruling tied to the Rivers Assembly controversy.
Falana had suggested that the apex court did not settle the question of who the legitimate Speaker was, nor did it address the defection of 27 lawmakers. But Olayinka disagreed, calling Falana’s interpretation “misleading and inaccurate.”
“Falana went on television to misrepresent the ruling by claiming the Supreme Court didn’t address the defection. That’s simply not true,” Olayinka said in a statement released Monday.
Olayinka further challenged Falana’s views on legislative quorum and membership in the Body of Benchers, defending Wike’s elevation based on his substantial contributions to legal education.
“As Governor, Wike established and upgraded law school campuses in Port Harcourt, Yenagoa, and Bwari. What has Falana done for the legal profession?” Olayinka asked.
The statement also included jabs at Falana’s political career and professional accolades, questioning his legacy in the legal community and home state of Ekiti.
The developments highlight the deepening political and legal tensions surrounding the Rivers State crisis, as both public support and legal arguments shape the unfolding narrative.
