President Bola Tinubu has brokered a major reconciliatory meeting between suspended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.
The closed-door meeting took place on Thursday night, June 26, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Suspended members of the Rivers State House of Assembly also attended. Many of them have now agreed to reconcile with the governor.
After months of political tension and a state of emergency, signs of peace are now visible in the oil-rich state.
While speaking to journalists after the meeting, Wike said, “We thank God that peace has finally returned to the state. We have all agreed to work together with the governor and the governor has agreed to work together with all of us.”
He added, “We are members of the same political family… we all have disagreement and then a time to also settle your disagreement. That has been finally concluded today.”
Fubara, Lawmakers Reconcile at Last
Governor Sim Fubara also expressed relief over the peace process.
“For me, it is important that this day has come to be. What we need for the progress of Rivers State is peace,” he said.
“By the special grace of God, this night, with the help of Mr President and the agreement of the leaders of the state, peace has returned in Rivers State.”
The event marked the first direct meeting between Fubara and suspended Speaker Martins Amaewhule since the crisis erupted.
At the end of the session, both men were seen smiling and holding hands, in what many described as a breakthrough moment.
Before this meeting, President Tinubu had held separate peace talks with Fubara and Wike. The goal was to resolve the power struggle and tension in the state.
The conflict had led to serious disruptions in governance, prompting fears of unrest.
State of Emergency Nearing End
President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers on March 18, 2025, following intense political unrest.
He suspended Fubara the next day, and the National Assembly approved the appointment of Vice-Admiral Ibok Ete-Ibas (retd.) as interim administrator for six months.
Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, had maintained that any peace effort must include justice for lawmakers.
Many of them reportedly went unpaid for over two years during the crisis.
“There is no more acrimony. There is nothing to say we are disagreeing,” Wike said after the meeting. “We have all agreed on everything and so we thank God.”
The latest gathering is being seen as the clearest signal yet that the months-long political conflict may finally be over.
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