A months-long political feud that paralyzed governance in Rivers State appears finally resolved after President Bola Tinubu mediated a truce between FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and Governor Siminalayi Fubara during a high-stakes meeting at the Presidential Villa on Thursday.
Emerging from the closed-door session attended by Rivers lawmakers and political leaders, Wike declared an end to hostilities: “We have all agreed to work together with the governor, and the governor also agreed to work together with all of us…Everything is over. There’s no more acrimony.” The former Rivers governor framed the conflict as normal political friction within the same family.
Governor Fubara confirmed the breakthrough, pledging to sustain the newfound peace for the state’s progress. “What we need for the progress of Rivers State is peace…this night, with the help of the President and the agreement with leaders of the state, peace has returned,” Fubara stated.
The reconciliation comes after months of escalating tensions that prompted Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in March, suspending Fubara, his deputy, and the entire state assembly. That controversial move – currently challenged at the Supreme Court – saw retired naval chief Ibok-Ete Ibas installed as sole administrator.
Presidential aide Bayo Onanuga described the latest intervention as proof of Tinubu’s dedication to stability in Nigeria’s oil heartland. “President Tinubu has demonstrated once again that he wants peace for Rivers State,” Onanuga posted, recalling a similar failed peace pact brokered last December.
Multiple sources revealed the talks focused on restoring functional governance by repairing the broken relationship between the executive and legislative arms in Rivers. The agreement, if upheld, could mark a turning point for the crisis-ridden state that has witnessed violent protests, impeachment attempts, and parallel government operations since late 2023.
Leave a comment