A breakthrough appears to have been achieved in the long-running political dispute in Rivers State, as FCT Minister Nyesom Wike confirmed that he and suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara have reconciled and “agreed to work together.”
The announcement followed a late-night meeting held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, attended by President Bola Tinubu, Wike, Fubara, and suspended lawmakers from the Rivers State Assembly.
“We have all agreed to work together with the governor, and the governor has also agreed to work with all of us,” Wike said, announcing the meeting’s resolution.
“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.”
Wike, who previously served as Rivers State governor, added,
“For me, everything is over and in joy – all of everybody who believes to work with us, to also work together with everybody – that there is no more acrimony. There is nothing to say we are disagreeing. We have all agreed on everything, so we thank Almighty God.”
In March, President Tinubu had suspended Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and the Rivers State Assembly for six months after attempts to resolve the tug-of-war between Fubara and his former political mentor, Wike, failed.
Tinubu also declared a state of emergency and appointed Ibok‑Ete Ibas to oversee the state’s administration.
Fubara described the meeting as marking “a return to peace in Rivers State.”
DAILY GAZETTE reports that this gathering marks the second meeting between Tinubu and Fubara since the suspension.
Earlier this month, Fubara met with the president in Lagos during Tinubu’s nationwide tour; the president’s spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, shared photos from that visit.
The suspension and takeover drew widespread reactions from political parties, civil society, and notable public figures — including Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar, the PDP, Labour Party, Nigerian Bar Association, and PANDEF.
Critics argued it undermined democracy, while Tinubu defended the measure as crucial to restoring stability in the state.
The one-year feud had seen attempts to impeach Fubara by a Rivers Assembly loyal to Wike, led by Martin Amaewhule, for alleged failure to honour a Supreme Court judgment.
The conflict escalated amid violent pipeline explosions, prompting Tinubu’s invocation of Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution.
Video from the Abuja meeting depicts a shift in tone: Wike and Fubara were seen exchanging handshakes and smiles, visibly more amicable after months of public conflict.
Although President Tinubu remained silent after the session, political analysts are interpreting the interaction as a strong signal that the state of emergency may soon be lifted and Rivers State may be moving toward reconciliation and renewed governance.
