Rivers State’s suspended governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that “peace has returned in Rivers State” following a reconciliatory meeting with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
“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 with the agreement of the leaders of the state, peace has returned in Rivers State,” Fubara said late Thursday.
Currently in his third month of suspension, Fubara promised to “do everything within our power to ensure that we sustain it this time around.”
The crisis erupted in March 2025 when President Tinubu suspended Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and the Rivers State Assembly amid a power tussle.
Tinubu also declared a state of emergency and appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok‑ete Ibas as the state’s sole administrator. The intervention drew sharp criticism but was justified using Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution.
The political feud stemmed from a split between Wike and his former protégé, Fubara, over control of state structures.
A faction of assembly members loyal to Wike, led by Martin Amaewhule, even threatened impeachment.
But after Thursday’s meeting, the three were seen sharing handshakes, smiles, and cordial photographs—signs many are interpreting as a thaw in the deep political freeze.
“We have all agreed to work together with the governor, and the governor has also agreed to work with all of us,” Wike said after the meeting.
Wike, who previously governed Rivers State, emphasized reconciliation:
“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. We have come to report to Mr President that this is what we have agreed.”
He expressed gratitude for the breakthrough:
“For me, everything is over and in joy… We have all agreed on everything, so we thank Almighty God.”
This marks the second time Fubara has met privately with President Tinubu following an earlier visit in Lagos.
While the truce signals a possible end to the state of emergency, none of the three leaders Tinubu, Wike, or Fubara spoke publicly after Thursday’s meeting.
Observers are now awaiting further developments: will the suspension be lifted? Will stability return to Rivers State’s governance?
