As Nigeria commemorates Democracy Day, elder statesman and former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George, has called on President Bola Tinubu to lift the suspension placed on Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
In an open letter released on Wednesday to mark the anniversary of the annulled June 12, 1993, presidential election, George urged Tinubu to embrace national unity by showing clemency to Fubara, much like he did for Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Fubara was suspended from his role by President Tinubu on March 18, 2025, following heightened political tensions in Rivers State.
In an attempt to ease the crisis, Fubara held peace talks with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and also visited Tinubu during the recent Sallah celebration in Lagos.
George reminded the President of his own background as a pro-democracy advocate, stating that Democracy Day should serve as a moment of reflection on leadership and justice.
“June 12 reminds us of the values of democracy—the supremacy of the people’s will. If the President has found it in his heart to pardon Governor Sanwo-Olu, it is only fitting to extend the same compassion to Governor Fubara,” George wrote.
Recalling past events from Nigeria’s military era, George narrated how Tinubu once sought political appointment during General Sani Abacha’s regime and approached then Chief of General Staff, Lt. Gen. Oladipo Diya, regarding his ambitions to serve alongside Olagunsoye Oyinlola in Lagos.
However, the post was eventually assigned to another individual.
“I remember Tinubu’s visits to my office in Aso Rock during the Abacha years. He was genuinely committed to the fight for democratic governance,” George noted.
He further urged Tinubu to honour the legacy of fellow pro-democracy activists who have passed away, noting that the President’s survival through turbulent times is a divine opportunity to right past wrongs.
“Many of his comrades from that struggle are no longer alive. Restoring Fubara’s mandate would be a worthy tribute to those who made sacrifices for Nigeria’s democratic progress,” he added.
George concluded his appeal by evoking the memory of his maternal granduncle, the late Herbert Macaulay—Nigeria’s first political party founder—urging the President to act in the interest of national healing.
“In the legacy of Herbert Macaulay and for the sake of our democracy, I humbly ask President Tinubu to reinstate Governor Fubara and heed this call for reconciliation,” George concluded.
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