Fubara Siminalayi

Siminalayi Fubara (born Amaopusenibo Siminalayi Fubara; 28 January 1975) is a Nigerian politician and accountant who has served as the governor of Rivers State since 23 May 2023. A member of the All Progressives Congress since December 2025, Fubara was suspended as governor on 18 March 2025 following an emergency rule by President Bola Tinubu. On 18 September 2025, he was re-instated.

Fubara was born and raised in the Opobo, Rivers State, Nigeria. He attended Opobo Primary School and Comprehensive Secondary School, Opobo for his primary and secondary school education respectively. He had his business education at Rivers State University, where he obtained his degree in business education, postgraduate degree in accounting from Enugu State University of Science and Technology, and MSc in Finance and MBA from the Business School of the University of Port Harcourt.

Starting his career in 2003 as the principal accountant of the Rivers State Senior Secondary Schools Board, he rose to being the Director of Finance and Accounts of the state in 2015. He also became the Permanent Secretary in 2020 before becoming the Accountant General of the state on 23 December 2020, a position he held until May 2022.

Fubara sought for governorship in 2023 after he won the primary election for PDP. He emerged as the governor in May 2023 under the party. He assumed office but was later suspended and replaced by Ibok Ekwe Ibas on 18 March 2025. His suspension gained international attention and led to condemnation of political violence by prominent figures.

He received the 2023 International Peace Prize Medal Award from *The Nigerian*, a UK magazine. He is also a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Management and the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria. Siminalayi Fubara was born on 28 January 1975 as the second out of five children in Opobo, Rivers State, Nigeria. His father, Joseph Fubara, was a former military soldier, and his mother, Love Fubara, was a civil servant.

Fubara attended his primary education at Opobo Primary School in 1986 and his secondary education at Comprehensive Secondary School, Opobo in 1992. He proceeded to Rivers State University, where he obtained his degree in business education. He also had his postgraduate degree in accounting at Enugu State University of Science and Technology. He obtained his MSc in Finance and MBA from the University of Port Harcourt’s Business School.

His career began in 2003 as a Principal Accountant with the Rivers State Senior Secondary Schools Board. He rose to the position of Director of Finance and Accounts at the State’s government house in 2015. He became Permanent Secretary in March 2020 and was appointed Accountant General of Rivers State on 23 December 2020, until May 2022. He won the PDP governorship primary election on 26 May 2022 with 721 votes, defeating Isaac Kamalu (86 votes), Alabo Dakorinama George-Kelly (37 votes), and Tammy Danagogo (36 votes). He was widely reported to be endorsed by Nyesom Wike.

On 20 March 2023, he won the Rivers State governorship election with 302,614 popular votes. Tonye Cole (APC) received 95,274 votes, and Beatrice Itubo (Labour Party) received 22,224 votes. He was officially inaugurated on 29 May 2023 alongside his deputy Ngozi Odu. The event was attended by Samuel Ortom, Ayodele Fayose, and former governor Peter Odili.

The political crisis in Rivers State escalated due to power struggles between Fubara and his predecessor Nyesom Wike. Supporters accused Wike of meddling in state affairs. The House of Assembly split, leading to two factions: Martins Amaewhule and Victor Oko-Jumbo. Fubara recognized Oko-Jumbo’s assembly. The building was burnt, and President Tinubu met with Fubara in December 2023 to recognize Amaewhule’s assembly. The Supreme Court ruled on 28 February 2025, validating Amaewhule’s assembly and ending federal funding for the state.

The court also declared the October 2024 local government elections invalid and dismissed elected chairmen. Threats of oil sabotage emerged if Fubara were impeached. An explosion targeted the Trans-Niger Pipeline in Gonna, and another explosion occurred at Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni. On 18 March 2025, President Tinubu suspended Fubara, his deputy, and all House of Assembly members, declaring a state of emergency. Ibok Ekwe Ibas became the sole administrator until Fubara’s reinstatement on 18 September 2025.

On 9 December 2025, Fubara defected from PDP to APC, along with 17 House of Assembly members led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) criticized the suspension, warning it could weaken Nigeria’s democracy. Seven PDP-led states sued President Tinubu at the Supreme Court, arguing he lacked constitutional power to suspend Fubara. The EFCC declared Fubara and 58 officials wanted for fraud (NGN 435 billion and NGN 117 billion), including criminal conspiracy and money laundering.

Fubara is a Knight of St. Christopher (KSC) of the Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion and holds the traditional title of Amaopu-Senibo of Opobo Kingdom. He is married to Valerie Fubara and has three children.