President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has intervened in the lingering political crisis in Rivers State, convening a late-night reconciliation meeting in Abuja aimed at easing tensions between key political actors in the state.
A source within the Presidential Villa disclosed that the meeting involved the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike; Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara; and other influential political stakeholders from the state. Although official details were not released, the discussions were widely understood to be focused on resolving the prolonged political standoff in Rivers State.
Following the meeting, Governor Fubara reportedly accompanied Wike to the minister’s residence in Guzape, Abuja. Unconfirmed reports indicated that Fubara appealed to Wike and pledged to avoid actions that could be interpreted as disrespectful, signalling a possible thaw in relations between the two political heavyweights.
The intervention comes after months of intense political tension between Fubara and his predecessor, Wike, who now serves as FCT Minister. The rift, which became public shortly after Fubara assumed office, plunged the state into crisis, splitting the Rivers State House of Assembly into rival factions loyal to the two leaders. The fallout included impeachment threats against the governor, prolonged legal battles, and repeated disruptions of legislative activities.
The disagreement has largely been linked to a struggle for political control, influence over party structures, and the direction of governance in the oil-rich state. Despite several earlier reconciliation efforts by party leaders and stakeholders, tensions persisted, raising concerns over political stability and governance.
In a related development, President Tinubu on Sunday night also met privately with Wike and Governor Fubara at his official residence in Abuja in what sources described as a fresh “troubleshooting” initiative. The closed-door meeting was said to be the second time the President has personally attempted to broker peace between the duo.
Sources said the meeting was “fruitful,” with Tinubu reportedly urging Governor Fubara to strictly adhere to the terms of earlier peace agreements reached with the FCT Minister. At the end of the meeting, Fubara again left the Presidential Villa in the company of Wike to his residence in Guzape, Asokoro, after assuring the President of his commitment to genuine reconciliation.
The earlier peace deal reportedly suffered a setback in December following Governor Fubara’s defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC), a move said to have been facilitated by a serving South-East governor who is in a political cold war with Wike.
The Rivers leadership crisis resurfaced prominently in January after lawmakers loyal to Wike initiated impeachment proceedings against Fubara. Twenty-six members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule and Majority Leader Major Jack, formally read out allegations of gross misconduct against the governor.
Invoking Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution, Jack outlined seven allegations of gross misconduct against Fubara, intensifying political tensions in the state.
Sunday’s intervention by President Tinubu is viewed as a strategic effort to halt the impeachment process, restore calm, stabilise governance, and prevent further escalation of the crisis as the ruling party navigates sensitive political engagements in Rivers State and beyond.
