There are strong indications that President Bola Tinubu has once again intervened in the escalating political feud between the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
A highly placed source close to the President disclosed that Tinubu has summoned Wike for talks over the Rivers crisis.
According to the source, the meeting is expected to take place outside Nigeria, as the President is currently abroad.
DAILY GAZETTE also learnt that Fubara travelled out of the country on Thursday aboard a private jet, with plans to meet Tinubu in France.
Fresh Impeachment Move Against Fubara
The President’s intervention comes amid a renewed impeachment move against Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, by members of the Rivers State House of Assembly reportedly loyal to Wike.
During plenary on Thursday, presided over by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, the Majority Leader, Major Jack, read a notice outlining allegations of gross misconduct against the governor.
The allegations include the demolition of the Assembly complex, extra-budgetary spending, withholding funds meant for the Assembly Service Commission, and refusal to comply with the Supreme Court ruling on the financial autonomy of state legislatures.
The deputy governor was also accused of reckless and unconstitutional expenditure, obstructing the Assembly from carrying out its duties, and conniving with unauthorised persons to occupy government offices without legislative screening.
Amaewhule said the impeachment notice would be served on Fubara within seven days and adjourned plenary till January 15.
He described the process as being in the interest of Rivers State, accusing the governor of refusing to present the 2026 budget to the House.
Notably, the allegations mirror those previously raised before Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State in March 2025, which led to the six-month suspension of Fubara and his deputy.
Although Tinubu later brokered peace between Fubara and Wike, tensions resurfaced shortly after the emergency rule ended.
Tinubu Warns Against Destabilisation
Speaking on the renewed impeachment plot, the source said the President was alarmed by the developments and had moved to rein in Wike.
The source warned that removing the first Ijaw governor of Rivers State could trigger unrest among Ijaw youths, with possible consequences for national security and oil production.
He noted that one of the key reasons for the earlier state of emergency was the fear of a breakdown of law and order, adding that the President would not allow actions capable of reigniting instability.
Another senior aide confirmed that Tinubu was currently in France and would later proceed to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, but said he was unaware of any scheduled meeting with Wike.
The aide, however, noted that Wike would ordinarily have no reason to travel to the UAE except for an appointment with the President.
APC Leaders Raise Concerns
At the APC national secretariat, a senior administrative official revealed that party leaders were unhappy with Wike’s actions and were planning to meet Tinubu upon his return.
According to the official, APC leaders believe Wike should respect the President and the party, particularly since Fubara is now aligned with the APC and recognised as the party leader in Rivers State.
Some party leaders, the source added, believe Fubara should be allowed to complete his tenure, regardless of whether he seeks a second term.
Efforts to reach Wike’s spokesperson, Lere Olayinka, were unsuccessful.
However, an ally of the minister confirmed that Wike would return to Abuja on Sunday but declined to comment on his itinerary or any planned meeting with the President.
She dismissed claims that Wike was behind the impeachment plot, insisting that Rivers lawmakers were acting independently and denying that the minister was disrespecting the President.
Party Chief, Ex-Lawmaker Express Worries
A member of the APC National Working Committee described the situation as dangerous, urging Tinubu to urgently caution Wike.
The official warned that actions capable of provoking insecurity in Rivers State undermined national interest and portrayed the President as weak.
He added that Nigeria was already grappling with multiple security and diplomatic challenges and could ill-afford another major political crisis in an oil-producing state.
Similarly, former Rivers East Senator, Andrew Uchendu, described the prolonged crisis as an embarrassment to the state.
Speaking on a Port Harcourt radio programme, he called for a roundtable dialogue involving all parties and elder statesmen to resolve the dispute.
