James Adamu in Abuja
The prolonged political crisis in Rivers State appears to be nearing resolution following a reconciliation meeting between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, and a subsequent meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja
The breakthrough came after months of bitter feuding that almost paralysed governance in the Nigeria’s oil rich state, which later led to the declaration of a state of emergency by President Tinubu in March this year.
Spear News gathered that the closed door talks, which took place late on Thursday, resulted in a tentative agreement to end hostilities between the warring factions.
The meeting followed an earlier secret reconciliation between Fubara and pro-Wike lawmakers who had been suspended from the Rivers State House of Assembly. Political observers suggest the dual-track negotiations represent the most serious effort yet to resolve a crisis that has threatened both regional stability and national economic interests.
While full details of the agreement remain confidential, insiders confirmed it includes significant concessions from both sides. Governor Fubara has reportedly agreed to withdraw all pending lawsuits against the state assembly, restore funding to the legislature, and abandon plans for fresh local government elections. In return, Wike’s allies are expected to discontinue impeachment proceedings and support Fubara’s continued governance. Notably, the deal may involve Fubara’s defection from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) – a move foreshadowed by his recent public endorsement of President Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda.”
The roots of the crisis stretch back to mid 2023 when Fubara, initially installed as Wike’s political protรฉgรฉ, began asserting his independence shortly after assuming office.
The relationship deteriorated rapidly as Fubara moved to dismantle his predecessor’s political structures, triggering a fierce backlash from the Wike-aligned majority in the State Assembly. The conflict reached its nadir when the assembly complex was mysteriously set ablaze in October 2024, an incident that symbolised the complete breakdown of governance in the state.
The judicial system became a critical battleground, with Wike’s faction securing a landmark Supreme Court victory affirming Martin Amaewhule’s position as legitimate Speaker. Further setbacks for Fubara came when courts nullified local government elections conducted by his administration, citing procedural irregularities. As the constitutional crisis deepened and threatened Nigeria’s oil production – with Rivers State accounting for over 30% of national output – President Tinubu was forced to intervene, declaring a state of emergency in March 2025.
The current peace process gained momentum following Fubara’s recent unexpected visit to Wike’s Abuja residence, a move widely interpreted as an olive branch to his erstwhile mentor.
The absence of Fubara’s Chief of Staff, Edison Ehie, from the reconciliation talks suggests a potential reshuffling of power dynamics within the governor’s inner circle.
As negotiations enter their final stages, attention has turned to the presidency’s role in facilitating the settlement. While the Tinubu administration has maintained official neutrality, sources indicate that behind-the-scenes pressure from Abuja proved crucial in bringing both sides to the table. The coming days will prove critical in determining whether the tentative agreement translates into lasting political resolution.
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