Suspended governor, Sim Fubara, burst into a church service today, Sunday, March 23, 2025, to worship his Maker.
This created rowdy sessions, surprise, and excitement at one of the most populated churches in the state capital, Salvation Ministries overseen by the founder and presiding pastor, David Ibiyeomie.
Rumours were rife since the declaration of state of emergency as to the whereabouts of the suspended governor. The first rumour said he had escaped. The next said he had fled to the Bayelsa State Government to hole up with Gov Douye Diri.
Fubara’s sudden appearance at the church service seemed to shut every mouth up and debunk the escape rumours.
His vehicles seemed mobbed on the street close to the church at Birabi Street in GRA 2 where he went to attend a special prayer, worship, and thanksgiving service at Salvation Ministries headquarters behind the Hotel Presidential.
According to a statement from Nelson Chukwu, his chief press secretary, the governor was accompanied by top politicians, major stakeholders, elders, leaders of the State, and associates. The statement said the prayer is to express gratitude to God for His love, mercy and unwavering support amid the festering political challenges.
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Chukwudi gave identities of those that accompanied the governor as Edison Ehie (his chief of staff); John Mbata (former senate president pro-tempore and President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide); Sam-Sam Jaja (former deputy national chairman of the PDP); Orits Onyiri, Mike Elechi, and David Briggs, al chiefs.
He mentioned others to include Tamunosisi Gogo-Jaja, Fubara Hart, Theodore Georgewill, Kingston Sylvanus, Ezebunwo Ichemati (former Mayor of Port Harcourt City), Israel Abosi (former chairman of Ikwerre LGA), David Omereji (former chairman of Emohua LGA), and many others who appeared excited to accompany the suspended governor.
The church service was said to be a testament to Fubara’s deep faith and belief in God as the ultimate dispenser of justice. It was described as an extraordinary session of worship, prayers, and thanksgiving, to appreciate the Lord and acknowledge His never-failing gifts to humanity.
According to the chief press secretary, the service was led by Ibiyeomie, who took his sermon on “Living A Blessed Life” from Genesis 1:28. It featured soul-lifting songs, scriptural exhortations, and prayers for continued peace, progress, and prosperity in Rivers State.
He said a special prayer session was also held for the governor shortly after the service.
This is expected to have ended speculations on Fubara’s whereabouts. Observers, however, hinted that Fubara’s tumultuous outing may cause a flurry of Thanksgiving church services in Garden City in the coming weekends, during which other camps may mobilise to show that they, too, command sympathy and following in the state capital.
