A major breakthrough in Nigerian politics unfolded at the Presidential Villa last night as FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and suspended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara came together in reconciliation, signalling an end to months of bitter conflict. After what Wike described as a “late-night reconciliation meeting” with President Bola Tinubu and suspended lawmakers from Rivers State, the former governor publicly stated: “We have all agreed to work together with the governor, and the governor has also agreed to work with all of us” .
This significant detente follows Tinubu’s controversial suspension of Fubara, his deputy, and the State Assembly in mid-March, accompanied by a Six-month state of emergency—an extreme measure taken to resolve a political crisis rooted in a power struggle marked by impeachment threats and pipeline explosions . Wike, once Fubara’s political mentor, emphasized the resolution of their personal rift, stating there is “no more acrimony” and that peace must prevail for the sake of Rivers State .
Governor Fubara echoed Wike’s sentiments, declaring that peace has returned to Rivers State and expressing determination to sustain it. This marks his second meeting with President Tinubu since the suspension, following a courtesy visit during the Sallah holiday in Lagos . Visuals from their meeting, shared by Channels Television, show smiles all around—handshakes, camaraderie, and renewed political unity .
The implications are immense: with this reconciliation, Nigeria’s federal and state machinery appear to be steering back toward stability especially in Rivers state. While concerns linger over the original emergency declaration, this moment of reconciliation offers hope that governance in Rivers State can resume without the cloud of suspension hanging overhead.
