After months of simmering political unrest, a fresh wave of optimism swept through Rivers State on Thursday night, as President Bola Tinubu successfully brokered a new peace accord between Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The high-level reconciliation, held behind closed doors at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, was attended by key political players including the embattled Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, and several lawmakers aligned with both factions.
Speaking separately after the meeting, both Wike and Fubara confirmed that their long-standing political feud had been resolved and committed to working together in unity for the benefit of Rivers State.
“We’ve all agreed to work together with the governor, and the governor has also agreed to work with all of us,” Wike told reporters. “We’re members of the same political family. Yes, we had disagreements like every human does, but those issues have now been settled.”
The FCT Minister described the reconciliation as final and called on all supporters to embrace peace. “For me, everything is over,” he declared. “There’s no more acrimony. Let everyone come together to move the state forward.”
Governor Fubara echoed the sentiment, praising President Tinubu’s role in diffusing the crisis. He expressed gratitude for what he called “a new dawn” in Rivers politics.
“What Rivers State needs is peace. And by the special grace of God, with the help of Mr. President and the agreement of our leaders, peace has returned to Rivers State,” Fubara said. “We’ll do everything within our power to ensure that this time, it is sustained.”
Unclear Terms of Truce Amid Lingering Legal Uncertainties
While the leaders painted a picture of unity, the details of the truce remain opaque as of press time. It is still unclear whether Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and the suspended lawmakers will be reinstated before the end of their six-month suspension imposed by President Tinubu in March.
The political impasse dates back to late 2023 when Fubara, a protégé of Wike, fell out with his mentor over control of state structures. The rift escalated quickly, splitting the state assembly and triggering an attempted impeachment by 26 lawmakers loyal to Wike.
Fubara retaliated by recognizing a three-member pro-government faction, accusing the other lawmakers of forfeiting their seats by defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
However, the Supreme Court ruling on 28 February 2025 swung the pendulum in favor of Wike’s camp. The apex court upheld the legitimacy of the pro-Wike lawmakers, halted federal allocations to Rivers State under the disputed administration, and nullified local elections conducted by Fubara’s government.
By mid-March, the assembly formally filed impeachment proceedings against Fubara and his deputy, citing financial misappropriation and unilateral appointments without legislative approval.
A Second Attempt at Peace
This marks the second time President Tinubu has attempted to mediate between the warring factions. A previous peace deal in late 2023, also spearheaded by Tinubu, crumbled shortly after, reigniting tensions in the state.
On March 14, Tinubu declared a constitutional emergency in Rivers, invoking Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution. He suspended the governor, his deputy, and the legislature, and appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as the sole administrator—a controversial move that drew criticism from legal experts and civil society groups.
Despite lingering questions about the legality of those actions, Thursday’s meeting represents the most significant progress yet in restoring political normalcy to one of Nigeria’s most economically vital states.
