Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, on Monday swore in Benibo Anabraba as the new Secretary to the State Government (SSG), marking his first significant appointment since being reinstated following the lifting of a six-month emergency rule imposed by President Bola Tinubu in September.
Anabraba, a former Minority Leader in the Rivers State House of Assembly under the All Progressives Congress (APC), previously served as Commissioner for Housing in Fubara’s administration. His appointment was confirmed by Victor Oko-Jumbo, the former factional Speaker loyal to the governor during the height of the state’s political crisis.
Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony in Port Harcourt, Fubara described Anabraba’s elevation as “an act of divine favour” and urged him to serve with dignity and restraint.
“This position you just got can only be God’s,” the governor said. “It’s a real opportunity. You must guard that office with honour, discharge your duty with respect, and protect the interests of Rivers State. When you leave office, I want you to leave with honour, and you can only do that when you serve responsibly.”
Fubara expressed confidence in Anabraba’s capacity to deliver, citing his previous experience in the legislature and executive arms of government. “I know you were a principal officer as Minority Leader, and you served as commissioner under my administration. You’re a dedicated person. But this opportunity is not about power; it’s a call to duty,” he said.
He also appealed to his new appointee to help rebuild public trust in governance, describing Rivers State as emerging from a “very bad position.”
“We must reassure our people that we mean well for them—especially now that peace has returned to the state. So please, do your work very well to help us succeed in this assignment that God Almighty has given to us,” he added.
Fubara’s return to power last month has triggered a series of administrative reshuffles as he moves to reconstitute his cabinet and restore normal governance after a prolonged period of political upheaval.
President Tinubu had, on March 18, declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing the deepening conflict between Fubara and his predecessor-turned-political rival, Nyesom Wike. The crisis had paralysed the state’s legislature and threatened its governance structure.
Under the emergency arrangement, Tinubu suspended Fubara, his deputy, and members of the House of Assembly, appointing retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as Sole Administrator with a mandate to restore order. Ibas immediately dissolved Fubara’s cabinet, dismissed commissioners, and suspended heads of parastatals.
Following the lifting of the emergency rule on September 18, the Rivers State House of Assembly reconvened, urging the governor to present a new list of commissioner nominees and the 2025 budget for consideration.
Anabraba’s appointment, seen as both strategic and symbolic, is widely interpreted as a signal of Fubara’s effort to consolidate power and restore political normalcy in one of Nigeria’s most turbulent states.
