Ijaw Youth Council Rejects Single-Term Deal for Fubara’s Return

The President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, Theophilus Alaye, has firmly rejected any proposed single-term deal as a condition for the return of suspended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara. Says Any Agreement Curtailing His Right to Re-election Is Unconstitutional

Alaye, speaking during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Tuesday, described such an arrangement as a violation of the Nigerian Constitution and an infringement on the governor’s fundamental human rights.

"The Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, is a citizen of Nigeria and by virtue of the Nigerian Constitution, we believe that the governor has the right to seek re-election,” Alaye stated.

The remarks come amid reports that Fubara’s possible reinstatement, following his suspension by President Bola Tinubu in March 2025, could be tied to a political deal limiting him to a single term allegedly orchestrated by his predecessor and current FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.

While acknowledging that no official document confirming such a deal has surfaced, Alaye warned against any covert agreement that seeks to deny Fubara a second term.

"If a single term is part of the agreement they gave to him that he should not seek re-election in 2027 some of us are not going to be part of that,” he said. “That is an infringement on his fundamental human rights and it is against the Nigerian Constitution.”

Alaye emphasized that the Ijaw Youth Council would continue to support Fubara, especially if he delivers good governance to the people of Rivers State.

"If he has delivered the dividends of democracy, it is left for Rivers people to ask him to contest or not. Oppression is what we would never support,” he declared.

In March 2025, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State and suspended Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and members of the State Assembly amid deepening political tensions and violence between rival factions.

By late June, a presidential intervention appeared to have thawed relations, as Fubara and Wike were seen in a reconciliatory meeting with Tinubu, announcing their intention to work together for peace in the state.

However, many observers, including groups like the Ijaw Youth Council, remain skeptical of any behind-the-scenes conditions tied to Fubara’s political future.

"We are a people who have known marginalisation. Agitation has always been our path. We will not sit idly while constitutional rights are negotiated away,” Alaye concluded.