Supporters of the suspended governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, have differed over his reconciliation with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
While some welcomed the development, others described the truce, which was mediated by President Bola Tinubu, as fragile and a surrender by the governor.
On Thursday night, the President brokered peace between Fubara and his political godfather, Wike.
The closed-door meeting was held at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja, where Tinubu hosted Wike, Fubara, and the suspended Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, alongside a handful of lawmakers.
Truce conditions
Sources in the Presidency privy to the deal said Fubara agreed to complete his ongoing term with a promise not to re-contest in 2027. “It was one of the issues raised. In fact, it was the main issue. He agreed to conclude his tenure in peace and leave the stage after that,” said a source.
Yes, they reached an agreement yesternight (Thursday). The goal is for peace to return to Rivers State. But I think Fubara got the shorter end of the stick,” another source revealed.
Saturday PUNCH understands that Fubara also agreed to allow Wike to nominate all the local government chairpersons across the 23 LGAs of the state. Speaking to journalists after the meeting at the Presidential Villa, Wike confirmed that the political rift between him and Fubara had been resolved, with both camps agreeing to end hostilities and work in unity.
“We are members of the same political family,” Wike said. He acknowledged that the crisis had lingered for months but described the Thursday agreement as conclusive.
“Yes, just like humans, you have a disagreement, and then you also have time to also settle your disagreement. And that has been finally concluded today, and we have come to report to Mr President; that is what we have agreed. So for me, everything is over,” he noted. On his part, Fubara confirmed the truce, describing the development as a moment of divine intervention and a crucial turning point for Rivers State.
However, the arrangement broke down, and the conflict resurfaced as the President declared a state of emergency on March 18, 2025. Tinubu’s declaration suspended the governor’s executive powers for an initial period of six months, citing rising insecurity and administrative paralysis.
He then installed a sole administrator, former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (retd.). Meanwhile, the truce has sent a wedge between supporters of the suspended Rivers State Governor. Concerns mainly bordered on the nature and composition of the reconciliation.
Fubara supporters reject move
A former Rivers State Commissioner for Employment Generation and Economic Empowerment, Dr Leloonu Nwibubasa, said what transpired in Abuja was a surrender and not a reconciliation.
Speaking to Saturday PUNCH, the ex-commissioner insisted that there was no reconciliation because the governor did not go with his supporters. He described the development as vicious, pointing out that Wike had succeeded in cowing the governor to submission.
Nwibubasa stated, “What I see is not reconciliation. What I see is a surrender. In a reconciliation, parties come with their supporters and discussions are made, concessions are made. Where Governor Fubara walked alone to the Presidency without a single of his own supporters, not his deputy, not his Secretary to the State Government, not his Chief of Staff, not his factional Speaker, Victor Oko-Jumbo, and others. “On the other hand, Wike went with his entire House of Assembly loyalists and elders and you say they went for reconciliation. No, I think Governor Sim was called to surrender and he did.
“And the composition of that visit to Mr President is a story itself and it tells you to what extent these very divisive and vicious Abuja politicians have gone to cow the governor into surrender.”
On the implication for the state, Nwibubasa said it was a return to the trenches. “What it behoves for Rivers people is clear, that the political structures, economic structures and realm of leadership of Rivers State have returned to the old order,” he added.
“Wike has proved time and again that his word holds no weight. The recent reconciliation between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and former Governor Nyesom Wike should not be mistaken for lasting peace,” Adeyanju stated.
Referencing Wike’s past political conduct, Adeyanju said, “From his vow at the PDP convention to abide by the outcome, which he swiftly disregarded, to his betrayal of Dr Peter Odili, a man he once called his political father, and his calculated political attacks on President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Wike’s pattern is clear; he honours only his own ambition.”
He warned that the reconciliation should be seen not as a breakthrough, but as a “trap.” “Governor Fubara must prepare his mind that this reconciliation is a trap, and not a truce. Wike will not only undermine him now but will breach the agreement on purpose,” he said.
Supporters applaud truce
But the Special Adviser to Fubara on Electronic Media, Jerry Omatsogunwa, stated that the reconciliation would usher in peace and development in the state.
