- Governor Siminalayi Fubara met Nyesom Wike in Abuja for closed-door reconciliation talks
- Fubara was joined by governors and a former leader who reportedly played a mediatory role during the high-stakes meeting
- The outcome of the meeting remained unclear but both leaders may be on their way to resolving their differences
In what appears to be a step towards reconciliation, the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has met with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, in Abuja.
The closed-door meeting, reportedly aimed at resolving the deepening political crisis in Rivers State, took place at Wike’s private residence in the capital.
Reports have it that prominent political figures including Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State, and former Ogun State governor, Olusegun Osoba, accompanied Fubara.
The delegation is believed to have played a mediatory role in the encounter.
According to reports, upon arrival at Wike’s residence, Fubara “walked straight into Wike’s living room because that’s a familiar terrain” and proceeded to beg the FCT Minister.
Though specific details of the discussion remain under wraps, an anonymous source confirmed the meeting took place, stating, “There was a meeting and I can confirm that.”
Asked whether the meeting signals the end of the emergency rule imposed on Rivers State, the source replied: “That I can’t confirm but all I know is that there was a meeting.”
The development follows an earlier meeting between Fubara and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in London, which many believe was part of a broader effort to de-escalate tensions in the oil-rich state.
The political rift between Fubara and his predecessor, Wike, began shortly after Fubara assumed office in 2023. As tensions mounted, President Tinubu, citing threats from Niger Delta militants to attack critical oil infrastructure, declared a state of emergency in Rivers State. The drastic measure saw the suspension of Fubara, his deputy, and the entire state assembly for six months. A Sole Administrator was appointed to manage the state’s affairs during the period.
Wike, commenting previously on the situation, expressed a desire for Fubara’s outright removal from office, but noted that President Tinubu’s intervention spared the suspended governor from complete ousting.
The outcome of the Abuja meeting remains uncertain, but political observers suggest it could mark the beginning of a fragile truce in the ongoing power struggle.
Rivers Political Turmoil: Ex-HoS refutes kidnapping claim as Fubara dismisses bombing allegation
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that former Rivers State Head of Service, George Nwaeke, refuted his wife’s claims that he was kidnapped, stating that she was misled into reading a scripted statement.
Nwaeke’s wife publicly called on the governor for help, fearing that her husband was under duress and unable to speak freely.
