Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, on Thursday, confirmed that the political rift between him and Governor Siminalayi Fubara has been resolved after a peace meeting brokered by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
President Tinubu’s intervention in the lingering rivalry, included multiple peace efforts, leading to the first attempted mediation in December 2023, which initially failed to resolve the conflict
Speaking to journalists after the closed-door meeting, Minister Wike said both camps had reached a final agreement to end hostilities and work in unity.
“We have all agreed to work together with the governor, and the governor also agreed to work together with all of us. We are members of the same political family,” the FCT Minister said.
Wike acknowledged that the crisis had lingered for months but described the Thursday agreement as conclusive, explaining that just like humans, people are bound to disagree, and then, have time to settle the disagreement.
“And that has been finally concluded today, and we have come to report to Mr. President, that is what we have agreed. So for me, everything is over,” he said.
Calling for calm among political followers, the FCT Minister said “And I enjoin everybody who believes to work with us, to also work together with everybody, that there’s no more acrimony. There’s nothing to say.”
With the meeting at the Presidential Villa, which again brought together Minister Wike, Fubara, and key lawmakers, leading to a truce, and with the parties agreeing to work together- there is a signal for a resolution to the crisis and an end to the emergency rule, that could see a plan to reinstate Governor Fubara.
Speaking after the meeting, the suspended Rivers State Governor, Fubara, also confirmed that there was a truce.
He described the development as a moment of divine intervention and a crucial turning point for Rivers State.
“For me, it’s a day we have to thank Almighty God. For me, it’s very important that this day has come to be,” Fubara said.
He emphasized the need for peace in the Rivers State’s development.
“What we need for the progress of Rivers State is peace, and by the special grace of God, this night, with the help of Mr. President and the agreement of the leaders of the state, our leader, peace has returned in Rivers State.”
Suspended Governor Fubara also pledged full commitment to preserving the fragile unity achieved during the presidential peace meeting.
“We’ll do everything within our power to make sure that we sustain it this time around.”
The fallout between Minister Wike, former governor of Rivers State, and Siminalayi Fubara, his successor, stems from a deep political and personal betrayal that unfolded shortly after Fubara assumed office in 2023.
Minister Wike as then Governor, helped Fubara become governor but later accused him of betrayal by aligning with Wike’s political enemies and undermining his influence in Rivers State politics.
As the tension continued unabated, many feared an escalation that could destabilize the security situation in the oil state, leading to a possible shortfall of revenue for the country- culminating in President Tinubu declaring a state of emergency on March 18, 2025.
Tinubu’s declaration suspended the Governor’s executive powers for an initial period of six months, citing rising insecurity and administrative paralysis.
President Tinubu installed a sole administrator, former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (retd.), a move aimed at containing the political unrest but was met with criticism among Nigerians.
But, President Tinubu attributed his action to the inability of the suspended Gobernor and the state Assembly to find ways to work together, and the collapsing security situation in the state.
