Rivers crisis eases again as Fubara, Wike, and lawmakers reconcile after a meeting with President Tinubu to restore peace in the state
Rivers crisis eases again following a high-level reconciliation meeting between suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, and suspended lawmakers of the Rivers State House of Assembly at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Also read: Crisis in River as APC Demands “Genuine Reconciliation” For Fubara Impeachment Condition
Speaking late Thursday after the meeting with President Bola Tinubu, Fubara declared that peace had returned to the state and pledged to preserve it going forward.
“For me, it is very important that this day has come to be. What we need for the progress of Rivers State is peace, and by the special grace of God, and with the help of Mr President and the agreement of the leaders of the state, peace has returned in Rivers State,” he said.
The governor, who has been under suspension since March 2025, assured the president and stakeholders that he would do everything within his power to sustain the peace.
Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and members of the state assembly were suspended by President Tinubu following a bitter political impasse fuelled by a fallout between the governor and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
The crisis peaked with an attempted impeachment against Fubara by lawmakers loyal to Wike, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule.
However, after Thursday’s meeting, both parties emerged in high spirits, smiling, shaking hands, and posing for photographs with President Tinubu — a clear indication of détente.
What we need for the progress of Rivers State is peace… and by the special grace of God, peace has returned in Rivers State.
Wike confirmed the reconciliation, stating, “We have all agreed to work together with the governor, and the governor has also agreed to work with all of us.”
He described the rift as a normal political disagreement that had now been resolved.
“We are members of the same political family – yes, just like humans, we all have disagreements, and then you also have the time to settle your disagreements, and that has been finally concluded today,” Wike said.
“For me, everything is over and in joy. We have all agreed on everything, so we thank Almighty God.”
The meeting marked the second time in June that Fubara met President Tinubu since his suspension.
Their first encounter this month took place in Lagos, signalling the president’s increasing involvement in de-escalating the crisis.
Following the suspension of the governor, deputy, and assembly members in March, President Tinubu appointed retired naval chief Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd) as the sole administrator of Rivers State, invoking Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution.
Though that decision sparked nationwide debate and criticism, Tinubu justified the move as necessary to prevent a breakdown of law and order in the oil-rich state.
Also read: Fubara Faces impeachment threat as APC demands reconciliation in Rivers crisis
With this latest reconciliation, political observers say the Tinubu-led truce may offer a fragile but vital window of stability in Rivers, a state critical to Nigeria’s oil economy and national cohesion.
