Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara on Friday returned to Port Harcourt, two days after President Bola Tinubu lifted the six-month emergency rule imposed on the state.
Fubara touched down at the Port Harcourt International Airport around 11:50 a.m. to a rousing reception by supporters who had thronged the VIP wing in anticipation of his arrival.
His return came more than 24 hours after the President announced the suspension of emergency rule on Wednesday night.
On Thursday, the Rivers State House of Assembly reconvened under Speaker Martins Amaewhule, but the governor did not show up at the Government House, despite a large crowd waiting to welcome him.
Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, were forced out of office on March 18, when Tinubu declared a state of emergency and appointed retired Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as sole administrator.
Ibas, who had been in charge of the state since then, formally handed over on Wednesday evening.