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. Fubara 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 Opobo Primary School in 1986 and Comprehensive Secondary School, Opobo in 1992.

He proceeded to Rivers State University, where he obtained a degree in business education. He also earned a postgraduate degree in accounting from Enugu State University of Science and Technology. He obtained an MSc in Finance and MBA from the University of Port Harcourt’s Business School.

Fubara started his career 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, securing 721 votes over 16 other candidates. He was widely reported to be endorsed by Nyesom Wike. On 20 March 2023, he won the Rivers State governorship election with 302,614 votes, defeating Tonye Cole (APC) and Beatrice Itubo (Labour Party).

Fubara was officially inaugurated on 29 May 2023 alongside Deputy Ngozi Odu. The inauguration included notable figures like Samuel Ortom, Ayodele Fayose, and former Governor Peter Odili. His tenure faced political instability, including feuds with Nyesom Wike and impeachment attempts.

The Rivers State House of Assembly split, leading to two factions. Fubara recognized Victor Oko-Jumbo’s assembly, while Martins Amaewhule’s faction remained. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of Amaewhule’s assembly on 28 February 2025, ending federal funding and declaring local elections invalid.

On 18 March 2025, President Bola Tinubu suspended Fubara and his cabinet, 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.

The suspension and reinstatement sparked legal challenges. Seven PDP governors sued President Tinubu, arguing he lacked constitutional authority to suspend the governor. The African Democratic Congress warned of weakening democracy and federal overreach.

In May 2022, Fubara and 58 officials were declared wanted by the EFCC for fraud involving NGN 435 billion and NGN 117 billion. Charges included criminal conspiracy, money laundering, and misappropriation of public funds. He is also a Knight of St. Christopher (KSC) Order of the Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion.

He holds the traditional title of Amaopu-Senibo of Opobo Kingdom and is married to Valerie Fubara, with three children.