Introduction:
Amaopusenibo Siminalayi “Sim” Fubara was declared the elected Governor of Rivers State on March 20, 2023, by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Prior to this, he served as the accountant general of Rivers State from December 23, 2020 to May 2022.
Early Life:
Sim Fubara was born in Opobo Town in Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State. He obtained a degree in Accountancy from the Rivers State University of Science and Technology and went on to earn an MBA and MSc from the University of Port Harcourt in 2013 and 2016, respectively.
Career:
Fubara began his career in 2003 as a principal accountant with the Rivers State Senior Secondary Schools Board. He climbed the ranks to become the director of finance and accounts at the State’s government house in 2015 and was appointed permanent secretary in March 2020.
He served as the accountant general of Rivers State until May 2022 when he won the People’s Democratic Party governorship primaries for the 2023 general elections. Fubara is a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Management and a Fellow of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria.
Controversy:
In May 2022, Fubara and 58 other government officials were declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly committing a fraud of NGN 435 billion.
Additionally, Fubara and four other Rivers State government officials were wanted for allegedly committing a fraud of NGN 117 billion. The EFCC also accused them of criminal conspiracy, money laundering, misappropriation of public funds, and abuse of office.
Personal Life:
Fubara is a knight of St. Christopher (KSC) Order of Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion and holds the traditional chieftaincy title of Amaopu-Senibo of Opobo Kingdom. He is married and has three children.