Suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has held a private meeting with former governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, in what appears to be a renewed effort to resolve the prolonged political crisis in the state.
The meeting, which took place at Wike’s private residence in Abuja, followed Fubara’s earlier visit to President Bola Tinubu in London and is said to have been part of a peace process endorsed by the presidency.
Fubara was reportedly accompanied by Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru, and former Ogun State Governor Olusegun Osoba.
According to a source close to the meeting, Fubara entered Wike’s residence confidently and showed deference to his former political ally. “He walked straight into Wike’s living room and even prostrated before him, calling him ‘My Oga’,” the source disclosed.
Though Wike’s media aide, Lere Olayinka, confirmed that the meeting occurred, he stated he had no knowledge of the discussions.
Sources also indicated that Fubara was urged during the meeting to return to Rivers State and “speak the truth” to his supporters regarding his fallout with Wike.
The reconciliation effort follows months of tension between the two leaders, which began shortly after Fubara took office in 2023. Their feud divided the Rivers State House of Assembly, with 27 lawmakers siding with Wike and three remaining loyal to Fubara. Fubara declared the pro-Wike lawmakers’ seats vacant after they allegedly defected from the PDP to the APC.
However, in a major legal blow to Fubara, the Supreme Court ruled on February 28, 2025, in favour of the Wike-backed legislators, recognizing them as the legitimate assembly. The court also blocked federal allocations to the state and nullified the local government elections conducted under Fubara’s leadership.
The political standoff escalated on March 14 when the House served Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, with a notice of alleged misconduct as a step toward impeachment.
In response to the deteriorating situation, President Tinubu declared a six-month state of emergency in Rivers State and suspended both the governor and the lawmakers. The decision sparked public backlash across the country, with critics questioning the necessity and legality of the emergency rule.
