President Bola Tinubu on Sunday night held a closed-door meeting with key political figures from Rivers State, including Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, in a renewed effort to ease the lingering political tensions in the state.
The meeting, which took place at the Presidential Villa in Abuja and reportedly included other prominent Rivers leaders, is believed to be the latest in a series of presidential interventions aimed at reconciling both camps.
The ongoing dispute between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Wike, has fueled political instability in the oil-rich state, with repeated impeachment threats and deep divisions within the state’s political structure.
Although details of the meeting were not officially disclosed, reports indicate that both leaders met privately after the session, a development observers interpret as a possible sign of easing hostilities, at least temporarily.
The latest intervention comes amid renewed pressure following a third impeachment notice reportedly issued against the governor by lawmakers believed to be aligned with Wike.
Despite the high-level engagement, uncertainty remains over whether the talks will produce a lasting resolution.
Analysts believe critical issues surrounding Fubara’s political future, including speculation about his second-term ambition and control of the state’s political leadership, may have formed part of the discussions.
It is also unclear whether lawmakers loyal to Wike will proceed with or withdraw the impeachment process.
Rivers State has been embroiled in political turmoil since relations between Fubara and Wike deteriorated after the 2023 governorship election, despite Wike’s strong backing of Fubara’s emergence as governor at the time.
The crisis has since led to a fractured House of Assembly, competing political loyalties, and sustained legal and political battles.
Fubara’s recent defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress has further reshaped the political landscape, raising fresh questions about the balance of power and the possibility of federal backing in the ongoing standoff.
For now, stakeholders say the situation remains fluid, with the outcome of Tinubu’s latest intervention uncertain.
